Back-row Boyle pens new two-year deal

Boyle, 22, grew up a stone’s throw from BT Murrayfield and represented Edinburgh district at every age-grade before making his professional debut in October 2020, becoming Edinburgh Rugby player #1280.

The former Stewart’s Melville and Scotland U20 captain has since featured 28 times for the capital side and recently crossed the whitewash in December’s 1872 Cup first-leg derby at Scotstoun Stadium.

The back-row was again on form in this month’s BKT United Rugby Championship win against Zebre Parma, where he won more turnovers than any other player (four) in Round 12, with three of those coming from jackal steals.

Boyle is part of a unit of up-and-coming back-row players in the Edinburgh pack, impressing alongside fellow academy graduate Ben Muncaster.

On penning a new deal, Boyle said: “I’m delighted to re-sign with my boyhood club. Edinburgh Rugby is the place where I see myself being able to take my game to the next level.

“The players and coaches are all hell bent on building a Championship winning culture and that is an environment I want to be part of.

“The strength of the back-row, and specifically the openside position, gives me the ability to learn from the best on a day-to day-basis. This new deal will allow me to take myself to the next level of playing while continuing to live in my hometown.”

A former pupil at the city’s Stewart’s Melville College, the abrasive back-row has impressed at every age-grade, representing Scotland at U16, U18 and U20 levels.

Having played senior rugby with Stewart’s Melville RFC as a schoolboy, Boyle made the move to Watsonians while studying for a degree in International Business Management at Heriot Watt University.

He was named as Scotland U20 captain for 2019 U20 Six Nations before being named in the Watsonians Rugby squad for the inaugural FOSROC Super6 Championship.

Boyle made his first professional start in last season’s URC Round 2 clash against Benetton and scored his first try for the club in last April’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 – a 41-19 rout of Bath at DAM Health Stadium.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair has welcomed the re-signing of Boyle, a player who he says ‘epitomises what it means to represent the city.’

Blair said: “We’re delighted to see Connor re-sign with the club. As a local lad, Edinburgh Rugby means so much to him and you can really see that every time he pulls on the jersey.

“Representing the club means everything to Connor and that passion and intensity he shows when he takes the field is something other players really feed off.

“His behaviours epitomise what it means to represent the city, while he’s shown real leadership potential by driving some of our off-field culture and standards.

“Connor is still a young man, and his game is still developing, but we’re really happy with his contributions to the team so far. He’s in a great place to kick on and become a top player for club and country.”