Lion Ashman signs long-term extension through 2030

The extension adds three-years to the year remaining on the hooker’s current deal, representing one of the biggest re-signings in Edinburgh Rugby’s recent history – tying down one of Scottish Rugby’s brightest stars on a long-term basis.

Ashman, 26, has been Edinburgh Rugby’s standout performer in 2025/26, finishing the season as the club’s top try-scorer with nine tries in 16 matches.

His form at the end of the campaign was particularly impressive – scoring five tries in the final four games of the season, including a double against Zebre Parma, before crossing against Hollywoodbets Sharks, Dragons RFC and Connacht. 

He played 314 of a possible 320 minutes across those four fixtures, claiming BKT United Rugby Championship Player of the Match in three of them.

That end-of-season form was the culmination of a year in which Ashman was consistently Edinburgh’s top performer.

He swept the club’s major individual honours at the end-of-season awards, winning the Scottish Building Society Men’s Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and the fan-voted Caullie Lug – awarded to the player who has shown the most commitment to the Edinburgh jersey.

He also claimed Scottish Building Society’s Player of the Month on two separate occasions, in October and April, reflecting his consistency throughout the campaign. 

On the international stage, Ashman’s 2025/26 season was equally impressive.

He scored five tries during the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, crossing against New Zealand and claiming braces against both Argentina and Tonga, taking his overall Scotland tally to 14 tries in 35 appearances – cementing his record as Scotland’s top try-scoring forward of all time.

Those performances were the latest chapter in a Scotland career that has made Ashman one of the most dangerous forwards in world rugby. 

Last summer, he was called into the British & Irish Lions squad for their tour of Australia alongside club teammate Darcy Graham, featuring in the final midweek fixture against the First Nations & Pasifika XV to become Lion #888.

On signing his extension, Ashman said: “Edinburgh has become home for me and my partner, Caitlin, and that means everything. I love this club, I love this cityand I genuinely have a smile on my face every time I come into work. That’s something pretty unique and not something I take for granted.

“I know this is a special group. We’re hungry for success and we want to take this team to the next level. The desire in this squad to win something together is real, and I want to be part of that.

“I have a great relationship with Sean [Everitt] and Stevie [Lawrie], while I’m really looking forward to working with the new coaching team. I can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Sean Everitt, added: “Ewan is a world-class player – there’s no other way to describe him. He’s a huge player for Edinburgh Rugby and for Scotland, and his British & Irish Lions cap last summer was thoroughly deserved. 

“He has developed into one of the most dangerous forwards in the game, and picking up three BKT Players of the Match in the final four games of the season is the kind of elite-level consistency that sets him apart. 

“But Ewan is more than just a performer – he’s a leader. He’s someone our players look up to and someone who sets the standards for the whole group. To tie him down to a long-term deal is huge for this club, and I’m delighted we’ve got this extension done.”

Ashman joined Edinburgh Rugby from Sale Sharks ahead of the 2023/24 season and has quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic hookers in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Ashman qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born father and came through the age-grade system from U16 level, finishing as the top try-scorer at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina – the first front-row forward ever to achieve that feat.

A prolific ball-carrier and lineout operator, Ashman has become a cornerstone of both Edinburgh and Scotland’s forward pack. He has scored 14 tries in 34 caps for Scotland, a remarkable return for a hooker, including a hat-trick against the USA in 2024.