Andrew Easson is to leave Edinburgh Rugby Club by mutual consent at the end of November.
The talented centre, who has spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines with ankle, hamstring and knee complaints, will now focus on activity away from the professional game but plans to maintain an involvement in the sport.
Easson, 23, has recently begun coaching S2 pupils at George Heriot’s School, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father Bob, a former Edinburgh coach, by becoming a PE teacher. He has already attained UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications.
With the support of Paul Kesterton, Scottish Rugby’s education manager, Easson has also taken up a course in Sport and Exercise Science at Edinburgh Napier University and intends to go full-time with his studies next year.
The midfield man, who played for Scotland 7s, represented his country at age-grade level and has been a professional since 2007, confirmed: “It’s obviously disappointing the way things have gone injury-wise in the last few years, but I’m determined to stay positive and make the most of the other opportunities that I have.
“I had a number of discussions with the coaches at Edinburgh and we reluctantly came to the joint conclusion that it was time to take a step back from the pro-game. I’m still really enthusiastic about rugby, and I’m hugely enjoying passing on a few tips to the children at Heriot’s.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, and I’ll always look back fondly on my time at Edinburgh. I’d like to thank all the players and coaches I’ve worked with, as well as the physio and medical team who have given me a lot of support over the years.”
Rob Moffat, the Edinburgh head coach, today praised Easson’s attitude and professionalism, saying: “Andrew’s had to go through a lot in the last couple of seasons, but he never let his head go down and that says everything about him.
“I’ll be sad to see him go, both in terms of his rugby ability and the way he conducts himself, but I’m glad that he’s got plans and wish him every success in the future. He’ll always be welcome in the dressing room, and I look forward to him keeping in touch.”
ANDREW EASSON
Andrew David Easson made his first appearance for Edinburgh in the Magners League match against Leinster at Donnybrook in November 2006.
After playing for Currie at the start of the 2007/2008 season, Easson suffered a serious ankle injury that brought the curtain down on his campaign prematurely.
He returned to competitive action for the first time in 11 months when he featured in a practice match against Watsonians at Myreside in August 2008, where he underlined his potential with two tries.
He helped Scotland 7s win the Shield at the Wellington 7s in February 2009 by scoring a further brace against Niue.
A powerful performer, Easson made his European debut in December 2006 in the Heineken Cup match against Gloucester at Murrayfield.
Previously, he played in Scotland’s under-19 internationals against Italy and France in season 2005-2006 before going on to the IRB Under 19 World Championships in Dubai in April.
His international honours continued that May and June when he was in the Scotland squad for the IRB sevens tournaments in Paris and London, and later in June he returned to France to replace the injured Garry Law in the Scotland squad after the pool stage of the under-21 world championship, though he was not called on to play in that tournament.
He added to his international experience by playing at centre for Scotland in the under-20 match against England at Bath in February 2007.
The former Edinburgh apprentice was a regular in the capital’s team in the latter half of the 2006-2007, and he was awarded a professional contract for the following season.
A former pupil at Balwearie High School, Easson is a son of Bob, the one-time Edinburgh coach.
