Hamish Watson gives Edinburgh boost, extending his deal after two other players headed to the Premiership this week
Struggling Edinburgh have been handed a major boost for 2021/22 and beyond, the agreement of a new long-term contract that will keep back row Hamish Watson at the club for the foreseeable future. Edinburgh had been dealt blows on successive days this week with Duhan van der Merwe and Andrew Davidson announcing their respective departures to Worcester and Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership.
However, some better news has arrived by way of the decision of Watson to stick with the Guinness PRo14 club. The 29-year-old, who has made 116 appearances for the club since he joined the academy aged 19 and has earned 36 caps for his country, said: “I have been at Edinburgh since I was 19, it really is home for me and my family. My two girls were born here and we are so happy to be spending more of our lives here.
“I feel like we have both showed each other a great deal of loyalty. I love playing for Edinburgh. It means so much to me and I can’t see myself in another team’s jersey.
“I feel like the club has been, and is, heading in the right direction to win something over the next few years. That is what I believe this group of players is capable of and it would be great to do it for the club and the fans.
“All the players can’t wait to welcome all the fans back after covid, to our new home. I personally can’t wait to see the fans again and continue this journey.”
🔊🆙
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆!
💬⤵️ How good is that?? pic.twitter.com/UnfGNzcqDB
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) January 6, 2021
Watson moved north from the Leicester Tigers academy for a Scotland 7s contract in summer 2011 and a string of impressive showings led to a place on Edinburgh’s elite development programme and his club debut that year. Watson had already represented Scotland at U19, U20 and Scotland 7s by the time he had signed a senior deal in 2014 and he made his Scotland Test debut in 2015.
Delighted to keep Watson on his roster, Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill added: “This is really fantastic news for Edinburgh and a great statement on our plans for this squad for the seasons ahead. We’re delighted he is staying – any coach would be happy to have him – and will continue to bring his relentless approach to rugby every time he takes to the field.
“He’s an incredible, world-class athlete and rugby player and shows incredible commitment every time he takes to the field for club or country, but he also has a very good rugby brain. He’s a very popular and senior member of our player group and it’s great to have him committed to the club for the foreseeable future.”
Van der Merwe's move to the Premiership has raised the debate again on eligibility rules. https://t.co/HCicld6SKM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 5, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments