Edinburgh Rugby retain nine young Scottish players

Edinburgh Rugby is delighted to announce the retention of nine highly promising young Scottish players, reinforcing the club’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and building a squad connected to the city and region.

The club has agreed new deals with a blend of players stepping up to senior contracts and those continuing their development within the pro-academy system.

The club is thrilled to confirm that back-row Tom Currie and scrum-half Conor McAlpine have both signed new two-year deals, stepping up to the senior squad.

Currie, 20, who debuted alongside his brother Matt earlier this season and earned his first start against Zebre Parma, has impressed with his physicality and work rate.

McAlpine, 21, who joined the pro-academy this season and has already made his senior debut against Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup, is a dynamic scrum-half with a bright future.

Loosehead prop Mikey Jones, 22, a product of Lasswade RFC, has also penned a one-year extension to his senior contract. Jones, who made his debut last season and has represented Scotland ‘A’, continues to develop as a valuable member of the front row.

Continuing their journey within the Edinburgh Rugby pro-academy are hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, back-row Oliver Duncan, scrum-half Hector Patterson and winger Lewis Wells, all of whom have signed new deals.

Blyth-Lafferty, 21, who played a key role in Scotland U20’s World Rugby Trophy victory, will remain in the pro-academy for the 2025/26 season before stepping up to the senior squad in the second year of his two-year deal.

Duncan, 19, has also penned a two-year extension which will see him remain in the pro-academy for the 2025/26 season before stepping up to the senior squad in his second year. Patterson, 20 – who was named on the bench to face Leinster last season – has signed a one-year extension to remain in the pro-academy.

Remaining on his development pathway within the Edinburgh Rugby pro-academy is powerful winger Lewis Wells, who has signed a one-year extension.

Wells, 22, joined the club’s expanded pro-academy ahead of the 2024/25 season from Linlithgow RFC and then Heriot’s, where he featured regularly. He has already made his senior debut for the club against Black Lion in the EPCR Challenge Cup and earned his first URC start against Scarlets in January, showcasing his potential on the senior stage.

Full-back Jack Brown, 19, who has impressed since joining the pro-academy ahead of the 2023/24 season and earned his first senior start away to Zebre Parma last month, has signed a new two-year deal to remain with the club.

Joining him in signing a new two-year extension is imposing lock Euan McVie, 20, who arrived at the club after featuring for Edinburgh Accies and Heriot’s Rugby, impressing in the Edinburgh ‘A’ pack.

Edinburgh Rugby Academy Coach Kris Burney commented: “We are absolutely delighted to see such a talented group of young Scottish players commit their future to Edinburgh Rugby.

“It’s fantastic to see the progress they are making, and we firmly believe they have a big future here at the club. It’s particularly rewarding to see guys like Lewis Wells, Jack Brown, Conor McAlpline and Tom Currie, who have come through our pro-academy, already making an impact at senior level this season

“We are looking forward to the pro-academy coming together for the new season, with further exciting player announcements to come.”

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt added: “Our academy plays a crucial role in the long-term success of Edinburgh Rugby. It is vital that we have a consistent flow of talented young Scottish players stepping up to challenge for places in the senior squad.

“I’ve been really pleased with the impact that younger players like Lewis Wells, Jack Brown, Conor McAlpine and Tom Currie have made this season, and we are keen to give further opportunities to those who show the potential.

“Retaining such a strong cohort of young Scottish talent can only be a positive thing for the club as we continue to build a squad with a strong connection to our region.”