White 'must complete' Bristol move

13 April 2012

England prop Julian White may be forced to swallow his pride and return to Bristol after a court decision went against him yesterday.

Despite signing a pre-contract agreement with the west country Premiership outfit 12 months ago, then putting pen to paper on another deal at the end of last season, White contested the contract on the basis that he believed there was an opt-out clause which allowed him to walk away on his own terms.

With speculation rife that he had been given the option of a transfer to Bath following his decision to quit Saracens at the end of the last campaign, White told Bristol he would not be going through with his move to the Memorial Ground.

White also claimed he had a verbal agreement with Bristol chief executive Nick de Scossa that the contract would be torn up providing a £15,000 salary advance was repaid.

But Judge Havelock-Allan ruled in the club's favour after a two-day hearing at Bristol Mercantile Court.

The player declined to comment but solicitor Owen Williams said: 'Julian is obviously very disappointed at today's result.

'He would not have pursued this action if he had not genuinely believed he had a valid opt-out. Until we've had an opportunity to consider the judge's detailed reasoning, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.' The decision leaves White's career in the balance just as he had broken into the international fold. After starting England's Six Nations clash with France last spring, he was a surprise absentee from the Lions squad beaten in Australia.

Yet, he toured North America with England, starting all three Tests for Clive Woodward's victorious side.

White had agreed to an £80,000-ayear contract with Bristol in May last year while still at Saracens, but it was not due to start until July this year. When he made it known to the Shoguns in May that he did not wish to join them, the club made an improved offer to reflect his new international status.

Bristol's millionaire chairman Malcolm Pearce said: 'We are naturally pleased that the court has upheld that there is a valid and enforceable contract. Julian is a highly-prized and successful prop and we'll be delighted to welcome him at our training ground.'

White is expected to wait until after the weekend before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.

Shaun Edwards, the most successful player in rugby league history, is the latest high-profile person to cross the rugby divide.

The Wigan legend, 34, who retired as a player 16 months ago on medical advice after a neck injury, has accepted an offer to join the coaching staff at Wasps.

Former league star Iestyn Harris last night dispelled any doubts about his eligibility to play rugby union for Wales.

Harris, who has signed for Cardiff, presented Welsh Rugby Union chiefs with a copy of a birth certificate confirming that his father Paul was born in the village of Pontywaun near Cross Keys.

The document ensures there will be no repeat of the eligibility doubt that surrounded St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham's decision to reject an offer - backed by the WRU - to join Swansea and remain in the 13-man code earlier this week.

Fans of St Helens' arch rivals Wigan are being urged to salute Cunningham before the Warriors' Super League clash tonight at the home of the champions.

Saints coach Ian Millward yesterday said: 'Our own fans are sure to give Keiron a tremendous reception for staying loyal to rugby league. And even the Wigan fans should join in for once because here is a guy who stood up for the game we all love.'

Wigan's England centre Paul Johnson, 22, also rejected a code switch this week, signing a three-year deal.

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