Hooker Harrison commits future with long-term deal
12 Jan 2023Hooker Patrick Harrison, 20, today signed his first senior contract with Edinburgh Rugby, penning a four-year deal with his boyhood club.
The highly rated former Scotland U20 front-row steps up from the club’s academy having enjoyed an encouraging start to the 22/23 season, with well-taken scores against Cardiff Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Zebre Parma.
Harrison was a match-winner with his 78th minute try against Zebre Parma last weekend, while his acrobatic finish in last month’s 1872 Cup decider secured a vital losing bonus point.
On penning his first professional deal, Harrison said: “I’m really excited to stay at the club I’ve wanted to play for since I was a boy. I feel like I’ve worked really hard over the last two and a half years to get this point – so it really means a lot.
“It’s always been my goal to earn a professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby and the support of the coaching staff has been massive in helping me reach this point. They’ve backed me and trusted me in big matches which has really helped my development as a pro player.
“Now it’s time to get my head down and continue to work. I don’t want to take any backward steps. I can’t wait to continue to represent a club and city that means so much to me.”
Harrison made his professional debut at the age of 18 against Dragons in March 2020, earning Edinburgh Rugby cap #1293.
In doing so, Harrison became the youngest hooker in club history – third youngest in URC history – and the club’s fourth youngest debutant of all time.
Harrison made his first start for the club in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup clash against Ulster in June 2021 and grabbed his first score in October’s road victory at Cardiff Arms Park.
Harrison came through the ranks at West Linton Lions and Peebles RFC and steps up to a senior hooker group which includes Scotland internationalists Stuart McInally and Dave Cherry, as well as experienced duo Adam McBurney and Tom Cruse.
Head Coach Mike Blair added: “Paddy [Harrison] is a great guy to have around the club and I’ve been hugely impressed with his performances at senior level so far.
“Paddy backs himself and his own abilities, and I think that really shows in the way he carries himself both on the pitch and in training week to week.
“He’s always looking to drive his game forward and look for improvements and feedback – he’s very self-driven to succeed.”
