Born in Woodbridge, England and educated at Ipswich’s St Joseph’s College, Sykes qualifies for Scotland through his Dundee-born Grandmother.

The back-row/ lock hybrid forward represented Scotland at U18 level before making his Scotland U20 debut during the 2018 U20 Six Nations.

After a successful 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, Sykes was aligned to Glasgow Warriors as a Stage 3 FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy player ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Despite missing the 2019 Under-20 Six Nations due to injury, Sykes’ form for club side Ayr saw him named in the Scotland squad for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Argentina, playing in all five of his side’s matches at the tournament.

The 20-year-old has been a standout player for FOSROC Super6 side Ayrshire Bulls in this year’s inaugural Championship and today pens his first professional deal with the capital club.

Sykes made his first Edinburgh Rugby start against Dragons at the Principality Stadium in March 2021.

The lock then scored his first try for the club in the 28-28 Rainbow Cup draw against Scarlets in June 2021.

The lock made his 50^th Edinburgh Rugby appearance in December 2023’s EPCR Challenge Cup victory over Castres Olympique, with an end of season win against Zebre Parma Sykes’ 60^th appearance in the capital, all before the age of 25.