EDINBURGH have signed Robin ‘Bomber’ Hislop from Saracens on a two-year deal, meaning the 30-year-old loose-head prop will return to the club where he started his professional career as an academy prospect 12 years ago (making his debut off the bench in a 15-38 defeat to Cardiff Blues in September 2011, and going on to play 20 games in total before moving to Rotherham Titans in 2014).
A product of Langholm, Hislop continued his career at Doncaster Knights before he joined Premiership side Wasps in 2021-22, making 23 appearances in an impressive debut season at the Coventry club.
After Wasps entered administration, the former Scotland U20 captain made the move to Premiership rivals Saracens for the current campaign, and started in last month’s Heineken Champions Cup clash against Edinburgh at DAM Health Stadium.
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“My family and I are really excited to be moving back to Edinburgh,” said Hislop, who will make the move back north at the end of the season. “The club has a brilliant squad, plays great rugby and is hungry for success.
“It’s obviously a really nice touch to know a lot of the lads from my previous spell at the club. Edinburgh is the best place for my rugby to improve and push on. It’s also a really great fit for my family.”
Hislop was a mainstay at age-grade level where he featured 18 times for Scotland U20s from 2010 to 2012, and he received a call up to Scotland’s senior squad for the 2021 summer tour, before the Covid eventually led to the scheduled games being cancelled.
“I think when I left Edinburgh, I was pretty young and a bit impatient,” he added. “I would definitely say I’m a lot more experienced and would say my game has improved all round, especially at set-piece. I’m probably a more rounded player.
“I absolutely loved played at DAM Health Stadium last month for Saracens. It was a class experience.
“It was obviously a disappointing night for us with the end result, but running out with the pipes playing, in front of a packed crowd – it was rocking. I can’t wait to be on the home side of that.”
Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair added: “We’re delighted to see Robin return to the capital. He brings a tough edge and plenty of experience to the loosehead position.
“We’ve been really impressed with his performances in the English Premiership. He’s a guy that brings a real energy every time he plays, while his history with the club means he’ll be a brilliant fit culturally.”
Meanwhile, tight-head prop Elliot Millar-Mills has rejoined the club on a short-term deal to provide cover during the Guinness Six Nations period. The 30-year old previously played for the club during the 2017-18 season, making three appearances, and has also been on the books at Yorkshire Carnegie, Ealing Trailfinders and Wasps.
Angus Williams is currently out of action with a knee injury, Luan de Bruin has a foot injury and WP Nel is away on international duty, leaving Lee-Roy Atalifo and Murray McCallum as the only specialist tight-heads in the senior squad available for Saturday evening’s match away to the Scarlets. Academy prospect Dan Gamble has played three times previously for the club, so could come into contention.
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Bearing in mind he is a year younger than Dave Cherry, hopefully he will follow a similar trajectory and arrive as a late blossoming internationalist and give Edinburgh a good 4 years service through to the next world cup
With budgets as tight as we are led to believe, does a two year signing signify a departure too?
A big top class Tight Head please.
A bit left field Ross but like Hislop D’Arcy Rae was a mainstay at under 20s and has been playing regularly with Bath in the premiership since leaving Glasgow. He could also be as you say another late developer as he looked very dominant against Glasgow recently and a move might help him get back into contention with Scotland. No idea what his contract status is or if even wanting a move back to Scotland but he looked big and powerful and could be a good replacement for Nel.
Good signing. Not that we’re short of quality looseheads
very pleased for Bomber