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

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 informed Bristol that he would not be going through with the move to the Memorial Ground.

White also claimed that 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.

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

The player declined to make any 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 that he had a valid opt-out.

"Until we've had an opportunity to consider the judge's detailed reasoning, it would be inappropriate to any further comment."

The decision leaves White's career in the balance just as he is making the breakthrough at international level.

After starting England's Six Nations clash with France last spring, he was a surprising absentee from the Lions squad which was beaten in Australia.

However, he did tour North America with England, starting all three Tests for Clive Woodward's victorious side.

White had agreed an £80,000-a-year contract with Bristol in May 2000 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 this year that he did not wish to join them, the club made an improved offer to reflect his new international status.

"We are naturally pleased that the court has upheld that there is a valid and enforceable contract," said Bristol's millionaire chairman Malcolm Pearce.

"Julian is a highly prized and successful prop and we'll be delighted to welcome him at our training ground.

"We've made it clear to both Julian and his legal advisers that there will be no bad feeling as a consequence of this litigation."

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

Bristol have a pre-season friendly against Newport on Sunday at the Memorial Stadium and coach Dean Ryan told the court yesterday that White had always figured in the club's plans for the coming season.