Edinburgh Rugby 2026/27 academy intake confirmed

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 27: Edinburgh's Henry Widdowson during a match between Glasgow A and Edinburgh A at Scotstoun Stadium, on April 27, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The club adds 10 academy prospects to its youth set up, with 23 players making up the capital cohort.

The capital academy enjoyed a landmark 2025/26 season, with six players earning senior professional contracts with Edinburgh Rugby: Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Hector Patterson, Euan McVie, Ollie Duncan, Jack Brown and Jerry Blyth-Lafferty.

Four of those six – McVie, Patterson and the Blyth-Lafferty brothers – went on to make their professional debuts in the same campaign.

Several others added international recognition, representing Scotland U20 and Great Britain Sevens.

Kris Burney, Edinburgh Rugby Academy Manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this group into our academy, all of whom will be looking to be part of the next generation of Edinburgh Rugby players.

“Developing young, local Scottish talent will always be at the heart of what we do, but we also recognise the importance of identifying Scottish-qualified players who have the potential to represent this club at the highest level.

“We’ve been able to see the pathway in action in recent years, with numerous players going on to make their professional, and indeed international, debuts – and the opportunities that pathway offers are only growing.”

Six of the new intake graduate from the National Talent Pathway years two and three, and are all set to step up to the club’s academy.

Four backs join, including Scotland U19 winger Daniel Kelly from George Watson’s College, Scotland U20 and Watsonians centre Harry Clark, Watsonians and Huntly RFC scrum-half Adam McKenzie, and Currie RFC and Strathallan School winger Ben McDonald.

Dunbar RFC and Stewart’s Melville College tighthead Oli Anderson also joins, having spent the season with Melrose RFC, while Lasswade and Boroughmuir back-row Harry Jackaman steps up having featured for Watsonians this year.

Four players from the Scottish Qualified programme are also included in this season’s intake, with Scotland U19 lock Toby Overson, Scotland U20 lock Archie Appleby, St Charles College scrum-half Matthew Fick, and Rondebosch Boys’ High School centre Harry Soboil moving to the capital.

Edinburgh Rugby academy 2026/27

Oli Anderson
Archie Appleby
Sam Byrd
Harry Clark
Fin Doyle
Matthew Fick
Harry Jackaman
Dan Kelly
Henry Kesterton
Christian Lindsay
Hamish MacArthur
Ben McDonald
Rory McHaffie
Adam McKenzie
Nairn Moncrieff
Toby Overson
Harry Soboil
Jamie Stewart
Findlay Thomson
Jack Utterson
Ben White
Henry Widdowson
Ross Wolfenden