Edinburgh secure experienced stand-off Grayson

Grayson arrives at Hive Stadium with extensive experience across two of the world’s leading domestic competitions, having made close to 100 appearances for boyhood club Northampton Saints before moving to Japan in 2023.

The fly-half heads to Edinburgh having made 48 appearances for Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Division 1 of the Japan Rugby League One, accumulating 294 points across his time with the club.

His first full season in 2023/24 was his most prolific, starting every league game and scoring 148 points in 15 appearances.

At Northampton, Grayson progressed from academy graduate to a regular presence in the Premiership squad across seven seasons, accumulating over 600 points across top-flight, European and Cup competition.

Comfortable at full back as well as ten, Grayson brings versatility as well as experience to the capital outfit.

On the move, Grayson said: “I’m delighted to have signed with Edinburgh for next season. After three years overseas, the time feels right to return closer to home, and the opportunity to play in the URC was a big factor in my decision.

“It’s also a special moment for me and my family – my great granny was a very proud Scottish lady, and I know she would have been delighted to see me make this move.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started, competing with the squad, and creating special memories in front of the supporters.

“Having watched a number of games, the Hive looks to have an incredible atmosphere, and I’m excited to experience that for myself.”

A product of England’s age-grade pathway, Grayson represented his country from U16 through to U20 level. He featured in the 2017 and 2018 U20 Six Nations campaigns, including a defeat to Scotland at Myreside – a match that also featured future Edinburgh team-mates Ross Thompson and Marshall Sykes in the home side.

He was part of the England U20 squad that reached the World Rugby U20 Championship final in 2017 and is the son of former England international Paul Grayson, a 2003 World Cup winner and British & Irish Lions tourist who made over 300 appearances for Northampton Saints.

Grayson becomes the fifth senior signing of the summer, joining Riley Higgins, Louie Chapman, Geordie Gwynn and Alec Hepburn in committing to the club for next season, with Grant Gilchrist and Mosese Tuipulotu among those to have penned new deals, alongside professional contracts announced for academy prospects Hector Patterson, Jack Brown and Jerry Blyth-Lafferty.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Sean Everitt, added: “We’re really pleased to add James to the group. He’s an impressive player – someone who reads the game well and brings a real quality with the boot, both from hand and at goal.

“He’s played a huge amount of rugby at a high level, first with Northampton in the Premiership and then across three seasons in Japan, and we think that experience will allow him to hit the ground running when he arrives.

“He’ll come in and challenge for the ten jersey, and that competition for places will be good for the squad.”