The 25-year-old midfielder joins the capital club from New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) side Hawke’s Bay, where he played a pivotal role in their recent campaign, featuring in seven matches as the Magpies reached the semi-final stages of the competition.

Rugby runs in the family; Kienan is the older brother of Hurricanes and All Blacks XV standout Riley Higgins. His arrival provides further depth and competition in the midfield as Sean Everitt’s side enters a crucial period of the season.

Speaking on his move to the Scottish capital, Higgins said: “I am really excited to be joining Edinburgh Rugby. Having Scottish heritage, this is a proud moment for me and my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to test myself in a new environment.

“The Northern Hemisphere game offers a different set of challenges, and I’ve always wanted to try my hand at the style of rugby played in the URC and Europe.

“My goal is to hit the ground running, learn as much as I can from the quality players here, and add real value to the squad during my time in the city. I can’t wait to get started.”

RELATED

Hospitality & Events Leadership in Action: How High-Performance Teams Lead and Perform 12 January 2026 Clinical Wolfhounds win at Hive Stadium 11 January 2026 Inclusivity & Outreach Edinburgh Rugby to celebrate grassroots heroes as Lismore’s Kim James leads Celtic Challenge ball delivery 10 January 2026 EPCR Capital comeback: Edinburgh overcome 13-point deficit to edge Gloucester 10 January 2026 Marlow starts Wolfhounds clash 9 January 2026 Commerical McConnell crowned Scottish Building Society Player of the Month for December 8 January 2026 EPCR Van der Merwe returns for Champions Cup clash with Gloucester 8 January 2026 EPCR What’s on Guide: Gloucester 8 January 2026 EPCR “Just chill out, play and enjoy it” – Young finding his flow ahead of Gloucester 8 January 2026 Women General Back Edinburgh Rugby Women against the Wolfhounds 7 January 2026 Edinburgh Rugby Men Centurion Scott to deliver match ball at Gloucester 7 January 2026 EPCR Edinburgh boosted by returning stars for Gloucester 6 January 2026 Player of the Month VOTE: Scottish Building Society December Player of the Month 5 January 2026 URC Edinburgh hold nerve in Treviso thriller 4 January 2026 URC Thompson returns for Treviso trip 2 January 2026 Women General “We can build from here.” – Cruikshank eyes Wolfhounds challenge after Glasgow victory 30 December 2025 URC Lang: “There is very much still a fight ahead of us.” 29 December 2025 EPCR Gloucester next up at Hive Stadium! 29 December 2025 Women General Edinburgh claim intercity bragging rights in Celtic Challenge thriller 28 December 2025 URC Late Warriors surge settles 1872 Cup derby 27 December 2025