Edinburgh: Ben White
Ben White, who left Leicester Tigers at the end of the 2020/21 season, put pen to paper on a deal with the Exiles to join ahead of the next campaign.
White made history when he became the youngest player in Leicester Tigers’ Premiership history when he came off the bench against Harlequins in September 2016, aged just 17 years and 151 days.
He made nine appearances in all competitions for the Tigers last term, having clocked up over 50 in the previous two campaigns.
White demonstrated his experience in a green shirt from the off, and going on to make 25 appearances for the Exiles just in his first season.
These detailed starting berths in all of the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup (including starting in the final) and also in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
He scored five tries in his first year with London Irish and proved his dependability on big occasions, including in a comeback draw at home to Sale Sharks, an away win at Harlequins and the team’s only try in the 2022 Premiership Rugby Cup final.
The scrum-half was selected by Gregor Townsend in the Scotland national team for the first time during the 2022 Guinness Six Nations following on from his impressive adaptation to life in west London.
In a 30 minute cameo, White had a scoring debut for his nation, replacing Ali Price and aiding his team to record a famous 20-17 win over England at Murrayfield.
Brive: Paddy Jackson
Reports across the channel suggested last week that the Ireland international would sign with Top 14 strugglers Pau, who finished 12th last season.
Well regarded for his step and his ability as a broken field runner, Jackson is equally comfortable at inside centre. Jackson has been keenly followed by Irish Rugby fans for years, chiefly due to the fact that he was one The All Ireland League’s top point scorers for Dungannon RFC only a year after finishing school. Such impressive club form made an Ulster contract an inevitability.
Jackson made his Ulster debut in early 2011 against the Scarlets. He was included in the Ireland Junior World Championship squad in 2011 and also went on to captain the U20s in their 2012 Six Nations campaign.
He made his senior international debut in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations against Scotland and toured with the senior squad to North America.
The Ulster man was then dropped for a number of matches form the Irish squad, but re-found his form starring for Ulster in the 2014/15 Pro 12 season. A string of excellent performances at the flyhalf position led to him being selected in Irelands 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
He started all three tests in South Africa in 2016 – showing he is an able deputy at out half as Ireland claimed an historic first by beating the Springboks in Cape Town.
Paddy has improved his game-management and is a threat in attack with natural pace and sharp distribution and in May 2017, Jackson was named in the Ireland squad to tour USA & Japan.
Jackson has played 123 times for Ulster and represented Ireland on 25 occasions.
In June 2018, Perpignan president François Rivière confirmed that the flyhalf has signed for the club on a two-year deal.
May 2019 saw Jackson sign a deal with London Irish ahead of the 2019/20 season.
