BLAIR Kinghorn has agreed a new contract with Edinburgh, and says he believes the team can achieve “something really special” under head coach Mike Blair. The length of the deal signed by the 24-year-old has not been revealed, but it is likely that he will stay put for at least the next couple of years as he continues to make the transition from full-back to stand-off at both club and national level.
“I’m really happy about it,” Kinghorn said. “I’m really, really happy to be staying at Edinburgh for the future and I’m looking forward to what it holds.
“I’m an Edinburgh boy born and raised, so it’s nice to stay in the home city. I’ve grown up in Edinburgh my whole life, I’ve been an Edinburgh fan, I’ve been down at the games when I was younger. So now being able to extend my contract is something that I’m really happy about.
“I feel like you can see this season that the boys, the management, the whole club and the fans are pulling as one. We’re moving in a good direction. I love the growth that I see in this club – I feel like we’re starting to see it now and I feel like I can really add something to that in the future.
“We’ve been going really well and I still think there’s so much more growth in the team. We’ve got such an exciting squad, we’ve got a lot of depth in our squad . . . So I’m just happy to be a part of it and I feel like we can go on and achieve something really special – hopefully win some silverware.
“This team can achieve a lot this year. We’ve shown our potential in the URC and even more so in our Challenge Cup win against Saracens. If we play to our potential, we’re definitely capable of getting some trophies, which is what everyone wants.”
Currently recuperating from a minor quad injury, Kinghorn would have had to sit out Sunday’s match against Glasgow if it had gone ahead. But, while he will probably now be able to play in the rearranged 1872 Cup games, he said he could share the frustration of his team-mates who would have played.
“Preparing for a game and then to have it called off is quite a weird feeling. I know all the boys were gutted about it last weekend. It is a difficult time at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll all get through it.”
Mike Blair, who along with Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has planned Kinghorn’s transition to stand-off, was just as pleased as the player that a new deal had been agreed. “I’m delighted we’ve been able to retain a player of Blair’s calibre at the club,” the coach said. “He’s a local guy and a club centurion to boot, so it’s brilliant he will be staying with us for the foreseeable future.
“Blair is an extremely versatile player, who brings added quality with his unique skillset, while I have been really impressed with his form in a relatively new position at 10 at senior level. Blair has all the tools to be an exciting stand-off and I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to develop in that position.
“He will be a really key player for us moving forward and it’s great to see him really enjoying his rugby at the moment. Like us, I’m sure our supporters will be delighted to see him continue to represent the club for the seasons to come.”
Probably not a good idea to talk about “something special” happening at a rugby club. The last club that continually used that in press releases was found to be guilty of continual cheating south of the border!
Good signing to keep him in Scotland but to advance in his career a move might of improved him as a.player
Very interesting change of position for Kinghorn IMO he lacked the pace to be an international back 3 (he actually did OK for Scotland) however he seems to be a good fit for Blair’s attacking Edinburgh, whatever we say Kinghorn has flair and most definitely keeps any opposing defence honest, that is a good start. Good luck to the young man
he is about the fastest player at Edinburgh, deceptively quick. Concentration and focus have always his problems. Perhaps he has less time to switch off a 10
Not convinced he will be a top 10, but so far he’s been ok tbf