Skinner signs new deal and nears capital return

• 19 Dec 2023
• News

Scotland lock Sam Skinner today put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal as the Champions Cup and two-times English Premiership winner targets an imminent return. 

Skinner, 28 – who joined from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2022/23 season – has yet to feature this campaign having picked up a knee injury ahead of the opening match of the season.

Now back in training Skinner is relishing the prospect of a return to the blue and orange of Edinburgh, with the reassurance of his future in the capital secured until the summer of 2026.

Skinner said: “It’s been a frustrating period for me personally as I was really excited to get back and contribute to the team, but these things happen sometimes.

“I’ve loved being back out on the training field with the lads recently and can’t wait to get stuck in when my opportunity comes.”

Making the move north from boyhood club Chiefs in the summer of 2022, Skinner made his Edinburgh Rugby debut in the season opener against Dragons RFC, becoming player #1314 to represent the Scottish capital.

He then bagged his first try for the club in the resounding 53-8 home victory over Benetton Rugby in October 2022 – one of three scores in 14 appearances so far in his capital career.

He continued: “Moving to Edinburgh has definitely been a new challenge and one I’ve absolutely loved. It’s such a great club to play for with an awesome fan base that get right behind the team.

“It’s so exciting to be given the opportunity to sign for another two years. It was such an easy decision for me to continue working with amazing group of people that all work so hard.

“There’s no hiding that last season didn’t provide the success we believe we can deliver as a team. So, to have the chance to help put this club where I believe it can be is a privilege.”

Capped 30 times for Scotland, Skinner made his international debut against Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in 2018 and has gone on to play his part in some memorable games, including the 38-38 draw at Twickenham in 2019 and the 2021 win over France in Paris, the team’s first such result since 1999.

Skinner was selected for his first Rugby World Cup in France this past summer – featuring in wins against Tonga and Romania – and he now gears up to make his return from injury and add his international experience to the capital pack.

Skinner continued: “It’s been a really solid start to the season where we have shown glimpses of our potential. Sean has fit in extremely well and has given us a clear gameplan each week.

“You can see and feel that everyone has bought into it and are right behind him and each other. This middle part of the season is massively important for us to kick on from the position the boys and the whole group have put us in.

“If we can deliver that over the next period then we put ourselves as contenders for both competitions. There’s no reason why, if that happens, we can’t be competing for these trophies. Someone has to win it, why can’t it be us.

“However, it is only an if right now. And we have to work extremely hard to make it happen.”

Edinburgh Rugby Senior Coach, Sean Everitt, added: “Sam [Skinner] is a quality player with a huge amount of experience at international level. It’s brilliant we’ve secured his services for another two years and we’re excited to see him in back in action for the club very soon.

“He is a really intelligent player and someone that other players listen to because of the work he puts in on and off the field.

“It will be a massive boost to have him back and I’m sure our supporters will be eager to see him fit and representing the club.”