English Rugby
White set to delay retirement
ESPNscrum Staff
December 18, 2010
Leicester's Julian White disruptes a scrum, Leicester Tigers v Ospreys, Heineken Cup, Welford Road, Leicester, October 12, 2008
Julian White will be 38 by the beginning of next season but could continue playing © Getty Images
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Leicester prop Julian White is set to delay his retirement from rugby and sign a new contract extension with the Premiership champions.

The 37-year-old was due to end his career, which has included 55 caps for England, when his current deal runs out at the end of the season.

But given his form and fitness, and with Dan Cole, Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni all expected to go to the World Cup next autumn, Leicester are optimistic of persuading the tight-head prop to delay his departure from the game.

Tigers head of operations Simon Cohen told the Leicester Mercury: "We are very keen for Julian White to stay and are in advanced discussions with his agent. We are not a million miles apart.

"We hope to be able to persuade him to stay and come up with a package which will do just that. You can never be too sure until it is all completed but, if Julian is prepared to stay, it will be a huge amount of benefit in a World Cup year."

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill added: "We have a good relationship. When I need him here, he trains. When I don't need him, I don't want him here looking at a scrum machine for hours on end when he could be doing something more constructive. It works really well.

"During the autumn while Cole and Castrogiovanni were away, he was immense for us. There is no reason why he can't carry on next year. Certainly, with the World Cup commitments of our guys, there is no reason why he can't play for us if he is fit."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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