Hamish Watson, the Scotland flanker, has officially signed with Castres Olympique following his departure from Edinburgh Rugby. The move comes as the French Top 14 club seeks reinforcements after Dalton Papali'i was ruled out for an extended period due to surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Watson, who spent the end of last season on loan at Leicester Tigers, expressed his excitement about this new opportunity. He stated, "The opportunity to perform in French rugby is a fantastic opportunity for me," after agreeing to a one-year contract with Castres.

He further explained the urgency of his decision, saying, "Given Dalton Papali'i's injury, Castres Olympique contacted me in recent days and I had to make a very quick decision. I did so with enthusiasm."

With a wealth of experience, having earned 59 caps for Scotland and accumulated nearly 160 appearances for Edinburgh since joining in 2011, Watson aims to contribute significantly to Castres. He acknowledged the legacy of Scottish players at the club, emphasizing his readiness to help elevate their performance.

Castres, who finished 10th in the Top 14 last season, welcomes Watson as a player renowned for his work rate and ruck-winning ability, highlighting his extensive experience in international rugby over the past decade.