Henry Arundell Justifies Contract Extension with Racing 92, Explains Decision to Stay in France

In a recent interview, Henry Arundell, the 21-year-old English winger or fullback, justified his decision to extend his contract with Racing 92 until 2026. This choice will prevent him from being eligible for selection with the England national team.

Arundell, who impressed during the 2023 Rugby World Cup with the England squad, hopes to continue showcasing his skills with Racing 92 in the Top 14. After joining the French club following his departure from the London Irish, Arundell wasted no time in extending his contract by three years. While this decision will hinder his chances of representing the England national team until he returns to play in England, it has sparked a lot of discussion in his home country.

Although there have been comments about money influencing his decision, Arundell clarified that his choice was solely based on rugby. He admitted that the English offer, which was a joint proposal from the Rugby Football Union and Bath Rugby club, was significantly higher. "I won't give you the exact figures, but it's a fact that I would have earned a lot more in England," he said.

Arundell already has plans to return to England in the future. "I just turned 21 (on November 8th). I informed Racing that I will leave at the end of this contract. So, for the 2026-27 season, one year before the next World Cup, I will be back in England," he revealed. Arundell explained that his decision to stay with Racing 92 is driven by the opportunity to develop under the guidance of coaches like Stuart Lancaster, Frédéric Michalak, and Joe Rokocoko. He believes that there is no other club in the world where three individuals who have achieved such success in the sport can mentor him on a daily basis. Arundell intends to make the most of every minute with them to learn and improve. His ultimate goal is to return to England as a much-improved player and pursue an international career if given the opportunity.

With his recent hat-trick against Toulon, Arundell has already demonstrated his immense talent. He will undoubtedly strive to further prove himself in the future.