EDINBURGH are set to confirm the signing of Andrew Davidson from Glasgow Warriors in the coming weeks after agreeing terms with the 23-year-old lock forward. It is understood that the move was finalised some time ago, but an official announcement has been delayed along with other signings by the capital club such as that of Marshall Sykes.
“We’ve signed someone who is Scottish and a good player and he’ll do a good job for us,” is how Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill explained the impending move last month, without naming Davidson. Cockerill already has Grant Gilchrist, Ben Toolis and Lewis Carmichael among those competing for the two second-row berths.
Although new Warriors head coach Danny Wilson is expected to announce a number of new arrivals over the coming weeks, as things stand his squad is very light on locks for the coming season – especially if Leone Nakarawa does not agree a new deal when his current short-term contract expires at the end of the month. Tim Swinson has retired and Jonny Gray is moving to Exeter, leaving Scott Cummings and Kiran McDonald as the only out-and-out locks in the existing squad. Blindside Rob Harley can play in the second row and Jonny’s elder brother Richie is returning from Toulouse, but cover will be needed, especially during Test windows.
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Now 23, Davidson joined the Warriors at the start of last season, having previously been on a short-term loan at Scotstoun from Newcastle Falcons. Originally a Glasgow Hawks player before turning pro, he has been capped by Scotland at age-grade level, but only made a handful of appearances for Glasgow this season.
Davidson will join a list of departures from the Warriors that already stretches to ten names. As well as Swinson and Jonny Gray, other confirmed leavers include DTH van der Merwe, Callum Gibbins and Ruaridh Jackson.
While Glasgow to date have only announced the signing of Argentine prop Enrique Pieretto in addition to that of Richie Gray, Edinburgh have already named seven new signings for next season: props Lee-Roy Atalifo and Dan Gamble, stand-offs Jono Lance and Nathan Chamberlain, centres Jordan Venter and Matt Gordon, and back-row forward Ben Muncaster. Like Glasgow, Edinburgh have announced ten departures, including former Scotland captain John Barclay and his international team-mates Matt Scott and Dougie Fife.
Besides stating publicly that Ayrshire Bulls lock Sykes is on his target list, Edinburgh coach Cockerill has also said that Connor Boyle, Rory Darge and Sam Grahamslaw are set to graduate from Scottish Rugby’s academy system. The three under-20 caps have been training with Edinburgh this season.
GLASGOW WARRIORS
Confirmed arrivals:
Richie Gray (lock)
Enrique Pieretto (prop)
Confirmed departures:
Nick Frisby (scrum-half)
Callum Gibbins (back row)
Jonny Gray (lock)
Siua Halanukonuka (prop)
Rory Hughes (wing)
Ruaridh Jackson (utility back)
DTH van der Merwe (wing)
Gordon Reid (prop)
Matt Smith (back row)
Tim Swinson (lock)
EDINBURGH RUGBY
Confirmed arrivals:
Lee-Roy Atalifo (prop)
Nathan Chamberlain (stand-off)
Dan Gamble (prop)
Matt Gordon (centre)
Jono Lance (stand-off)
Ben Muncaster (back row)
Jordan Venter (centre)
Confirmed departures:
Jason Baggott (stand-off)
John Barclay (back row)
Pietro Ceccarelli (prop)
Cammy Fenton (hooker)
Dougie Fife (back three)
Simon Hickey (stand-off)
Matt Scott (centre)
Stan South (lock)
Jack Stanley (prop)
Sam Thomson (lock)