Watson re-signs until 2021

• 25 Mar 2019

Scotland star Hamish Watson has become the fifth and final player to commit his future to Edinburgh on #MagicMonday, having put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal.

The 25-times capped international – who started at openside flanker in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup encounter against England – has been an electric performer both club and country and today signs an extension that will see him remain in the capital until at least 2021.

On re-signing, Watson, 27, said: “I couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else in my career. I love it in Edinburgh. The playing group we’ve got, and are building, is absolutely amazing.

“We’ve got a great coaching staff and I want to win something with Edinburgh. If that takes two years or ten years, it doesn’t matter. This group of players and coaches is going places and I love the direction that the club is moving in.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “Hamish is one of the most exciting back-row players in the country, so it’s fantastic that he’ll be representing this club for years to come.

“He’s a leader in the changing room and is so often a match-winner on the field. We’re looking forward to watching him develop further and hopefully bring success to this city.”

A standout in the Leicester Tigers Academy, Watson moved north to Edinburgh in 2011 – initially on a Scotland Sevens contract – before signing his first professional deal with Edinburgh in 2014.

Watson – who represented Scotland at under-19 and under-20 levels – was quick to showcase his ability in the capital side’s back-row with a quick turn of pace and breathless work-rate at the breakdown.

Following standout performances at BT Murrayfield – particularly in the wins over Munster and Bordeaux-Begles – the back-row signed a new contract until May 2017 – a deal that was later extended until 2019.

Watson was rewarded for his fine club form with a senior international debut against Italy in the 2015 Six Nations Championship.

The back-row subsequently earned the starting seven jersey in all but one of eight tests in an impressive 2016/17 campaign.

After grabbing a try in Scotland’s historic Summer Test victory over Australia in Sydney, Watson went on to start in all Autumn Tests that year, as well as Scotland’s five tests in the 2018 Six Nations.

An abrasive ball carrier at the heart of Edinburgh’s back-row, Watson is fast approaching becoming the capital side’s 33rd club centurion having made 95 appearances so far.

Watson’s only try for the club came in December’s 31-13 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Newcastle Falcons at BT Murrayfield.

Watson recently returned from injury in the Guinness Six Nations fixture against Wales, where despite playing just 22 minutes from the bench, Watson beat 10 defenders – the joint most ever by a Scotland player in the tournament and the sixth most by any player overall in the competition.