EDINBURGH have announced a three-year contract extension for stand-off Charlie Savala. Now 22, the Scottish-qualified Australia joined the capital club from Sydney Roosters in late 2020 and made his debut the following March.
“I’m absolutely delighted to re-sign,” Savala said in a statement issued by the team. “Edinburgh is home for me now and I feel honoured every time I pull on the jersey and represent the club.
“There’s no better feeling than playing footie with your mates and that’s exactly how I feel being part of this group of players. We’re a really tight-knit squad who all take great pride in playing for Edinburgh Rugby. It’s amazing that I can continue to be part of this team for another three years.
“Edinburgh is the perfect place for me to continue my development as a player. We’ve got a brilliant group of 10s at the club and there isn’t a day where we’re not challenging each other to get better.
“I’ve loved this season so far and it’s been awesome to win the trust of the coaches too. I’ve been handed starts in some pretty big games for the club and that’s only made me feel more confident as a stand-off.
“I feel like I’m getting better and better every match I play and, with the great players we’ve got at this club around me, I know I can keep pushing on to that next level.
“The Edinburgh fans have been massive for me too. The players and supporters have got such a great connection at The DAM right now – I can’t wait to keep running out for a few more years yet.”
To date Savala has been primarily used as back-up for Blair Kinghorn, but it remains to be seen if the Scotland international will continue as a 10 for both club and country. Either way, Kinghorn is sure to be absent on international duty at various points over the coming seasons, and while Savala also hopes for a call-up to Gregor Townsend’s squad in due course, there is no doubt that he is emerging as a more-than-able deputy.
“Charlie is a brilliant guy to have around the club,” said head coach Mike Blair, who will also have Munster’s Scottish-qualified 10 Ben Healy in his squad next season. “He’s hugely self-driven and strives to get better every day while his confidence is infectious – he really brings out the best in the players around him.
“We want to see Charlie continue to grow and mature as a player and he’ll definitely do that with more minutes under his belt. We’ve been impressed with his contributions this season so far and we’ve seen a different side to his game at times – with a bigger emphasis on game-management.
“Charlie is obviously Scottish qualified and still relatively young at 22, so we’re delighted that we’ve been able to retain his services on a new long-term deal.”