EDINBURGH have reinforced their second-row options for next season with the signing of Pierce Phillips from Agen on an undisclosed length of contract.
The 6ft 8ins and almost 19 stone 28-year-old has had spells with Darlington Mowden Park, the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy, Jersey Reds (captaining the side during the 2016-17 season) and Worcester Warriors, before moving to France in 2019.
He will compete against Grant Gilchrist, Ben Toolis, Glen Young, Jamie Hodgson, Lewis Carmichael and Marshall Sykes for game time next season.
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“I’ve been really excited to get on board with the team from the moment I first heard there might be an opportunity at Edinburgh for me,” said Phillips.
“I know one or two guys that have been involved at the club and they’ve only ever spoken glowingly about it. I can’t wait to get started and get my teeth into it.”
Phillips started both game when Agen were drawn in the same pool as Edinburgh during the 2019-20 European Challenge Cup.
“I was quite impressed at the time with how they were organised,” he recalled. “It’s a team that’s well coached and has a lot of talented players to go alongside that, so I’ve a good feeling it’ll be a great place for me to improve myself and be a part of a group trying to achieve good things.
“I’ve looked at how the team’s progressing and learned about the plan for the club going forward, so the opportunity to be part of that, and potentially add to it, is very exciting.
“Everyone’s always looking for a new challenge and way to progress themselves personally. I’m looking forward to doing that at Edinburgh.”
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill said: “We’re really pleased to sign Pierce. He’s a quality, experienced player with an excellent physical profile for the position, as well as being a really good fit for our squad as someone who’ll be available to us all season long.
“We’ve good strength and depth in the second-row, with several Scotland internationalists and those with credible Scotland ambitions.
“Having the right balance is essential if you’re to have genuine play-off ambitions in domestic and European Cup competitions. Hopefully he’ll help us achieve that in the seasons to come.”
Clubs seek answers from Scottish Rugby over use of £15m government grant