MATT SCOTT’S return to Edinburgh next season has been confirmed. The Scotland centre has signed a two-year deal to re-join the club where he started his professional career in 2011 before moving to English Premiership side Gloucester during the summer of 2016.
The 27-year-old, who has been called back into the international set-up this week ahead of Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield, is an Edinburgh native and came through the ranks with Currie Chieftains, so fits perfectly into head coach Richard Cockerill’s vision of building a club with deep links into the local community.
Scott was a key player in Edinburgh’s march to the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2012.
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“I’m very happy to have agreed to return to Edinburgh Rugby. Having spoken with Richard Cockerill about what he has done so far at the club and his vision for the future, I have no doubt that it will be a fantastic environment moving forward,” said Scott, who played 74 games and scored 15 tries for the capital outfit between signing as an Elite Development Player in 2011 and being one of several senior players to move on during Alan Solomons’ unhappy tenure as head coach.
“I can’t wait to get back playing with some of my best mates and pushing to win trophies with my hometown club. I’ve had a great two years at Gloucester and believe I’m a far better player and person from my experiences in the Premiership.”
Scott made his Scotland debut as a replacement in a 32-14 defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium during the 2012 Six Nations and he has now represented his country 39-times in total, although a combination of injury and concerns harboured by previous head coach Vern Cotter about his defence has led to him being something of a fringe player for the national team in recent seasons.
“We’re delighted that Matt will be joining the squad next season. He’s a terrific player, who has a lot of experience both domestically and on the international stage,” said Cockerill.
“Matt has shown throughout his career that he’s a dynamic ball carrier and his leadership abilities on and off the field will only help develop the strong culture that we’re building here in Edinburgh.”
News of Scott’s return to Edinburgh comes a day after another Scottish centre, 23-year-old Chris Dean, agreed to extend his contract with the club by two more years.