Edinburgh go for experience again as emergency injury cover

Cameron Neild has joined Edinburgh on a short-term deal. Image courtesy: Edinburgh Rugby

EDINBURGH RUGBY have recruited another seasoned campaigner on a short-term deal with flanker Cameron Neild, who spent a significant chunk of last season on the books at Glasgow Warriors, being brought in as cover for the injured Ben Muncaster, who has been sidelined until mid-October with a knee injury.

The 28-year-old, who played over 100 gamed for Sale Sharks between 2013 and 2022, then had a brief spell with Worcester Warriors before they fell into administration, has joined the capital club with immediate effect. He played five time for Warriors between his arrival at Scotstoun last November and the end of the 2022-23 season.

Edinburgh announced earlier this week that they have signed 30-year-old stand-off Tim Swiel and 31-year-old back-row Mitch Eadie on short-term World Cup cover deals, and that they have four Scottish qualified Super Series players – back-row Ben Smith (Heriot’s), hooker Corey Tait (Boroughmuir Bears), wing Lewis Wells (Heriot’s) and lock Alfie Scopes (Watsonians) – training full-time with the squad on a less formal basis.

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Neild will rival senior academy players Liam McConnell, Tom Currie, Freddie Douglas and Ollie Duncan, as well senior squad member Connor Boyle, for game time.

Meanwhile, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Luke Crosbie and Fijian No 8 Bill Mata are all away on World Cup duty.

“With so many back-row players unavailable due to the Rugby World Cup, and now with Ben’s unfortunate injury, we felt it was vital to bring in an experienced campaigner who could hit the ground running,” said Edinburgh ‘Senior Coach’ Sean Everitt.

“With over a century of appearances for Sale Sharks, Cameron [Neild] has clocked up a lot of rugby for someone still relatively young. He’ll be an excellent addition to the squad on a short-term deal, providing cover and supplementing our talented back-row group.

“We’re lucky to have so many young, hungry Scottish pro-academy players who are really stepping up in pre-season. They will be looking to challenge our senior guys in the coming weeks as we look ahead to pre-season games against Connacht and Bath.”