Stand-off Savala pens three-year extension

• 16 Feb 2023
• News

Up-and-coming stand-off Charlie Savala has committed his long-term future to Edinburgh Rugby by today penning a three-year extension to remain at the capital club.

Savala, 22, has enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022/23, making 16 appearances in total, with eight as a starter in the number 10 jersey.

The stand-off scored his first try for the club away to Vodacom Bulls in Round 2 of this season’s BKT United Rugby Championship, with his first home score coming in December’s Heineken Championship victory against Castres Olympique at DAM Health Stadium.

Savala has notched up 23 points on the season so far, starting in impressive wins against Cardiff Rugby [A], Zebre Parma [A], Castres Olympique [A] and Saracens [H].

Fresh from penning a new deal, the stand-off now gears up to face Scarlets in Llanelli this Saturday (18 February, kick-off 5.15pm) as Edinburgh Rugby return to BKT United Rugby Championship action.

Savala said: “I’m absolutely delighted to re-sign. Edinburgh is home for me now and I feel honoured every time I pull on the jersey and represent the club.

“There’s no better feeling than playing footie with your mates and that’s exactly how I feel being part of this group of players.

“We’re a really tightknit squad who all take great pride in playing for Edinburgh Rugby. It’s amazing that I can continue to be part of this team for another three years.”

Born in Sydney, Savala qualifies for Scotland through his Ayr-born father, while his grandmother still lived in Ayr until moving to Australia last year.

Savala still has a number of strong family connections in the west and even turned out for the Millbrae club aged nine when visiting family on holiday and electing to wear Ayr socks against Emirates Lions earlier this season for the capital side’s annual ‘Club Appreciation Night’ fixture.

The stand-off has now made 26 appearances for Edinburgh after making his professional debut against Cardiff Rugby in March 2021, where he started at stand-off, kicking a single conversion and penalty in a 34-15 defeat at the Arms Park.

Savala continued: “Edinburgh is the perfect place for me to continue my development as a player. We’ve got a brilliant group of 10s at the club and there’s isn’t a day where we’re not challenging each other to get better.

“I’ve loved this season so far and it’s been awesome to win the trust of the coaches too. I’ve been handed starts in some pretty big games for the club and that’s only made me feel more confident as a stand-off.

“I feel like I’m getting better and better every match I play and, with the great players we’ve got at this club around me, I know I can keep pushing on to that next level.

“The Edinburgh fans have been massive for me too. The players and supporters have got such a great connection at The DAM right now – I can’t wait to keep running out for a few more years yet!”

Head Coach Mike Blair added: “Charlie is a brilliant guy to have around the club. He’s hugely self-driven and strives to get better every day while his confidence is infectious – he really brings out the best in the players around him.

“We want to see Charlie continue to grow and mature as a player and he’ll definitely do that with more minutes under his belt.

“We’ve been impressed with his contributions this season so far and we’ve seen a different side to his game at times – with a bigger emphasis on game-management.

“Charlie is obviously Scottish qualified and still relatively young at 22, so we’re delighted that we’ve been able to retain his services on a new long-term deal.”