Promising flanker Scott Newlands has agreed a new two year contract with Edinburgh and committed his future to the team on the same day the club launched season ticket packages for the 2009/2010 campaign.
The Scotland 7s internationalist moved to the capital in the summer of 2007 and this season has established himself as a regular in fourth-placed Edinburgh’s back row.
As a result, the 23-year-old admits he had no hesitation about signing an extension to his stay at the club and Newlands believes Edinburgh will challenge for trophies over the next two seasons.
Newlands said: “I’ve signed for two years and I think Edinburgh can win silverware within that time; whether that is the Heineken Cup or the Magners League.
“We’ve shown we’re heading in the right direction, but we just need to generate some momentum in order to become contenders in Europe.
“In the Magners League, we are doing well this year and we can hopefully build on that again next season.
“I’ve really enjoyed this year; working under Andy (Robinson) and working with the likes of Hoggy (Allister Hogg) and Alan MacDonald in the back row has been a real privilege.
“I’ve just enjoyed playing and I’ve tried to build on my performances week in, week out. We’re moving up the league at the moment and I’m really excited about what we can achieve next year.”
Following the arrival of National Academy student Roddy Grant, Edinburgh now have eight back rowers to choose from including club captain Simon Cross and vice captain Allister Hogg.
But Newlands believes this level of competition enables back row forwards to raise their level of performance and not become susceptible to complacency.
He added: “There is a lot of competition and there always is in the back row. Luckily this year I’ve been given an opportunity and I feel I’ve taken my chance – I’m not resting on my laurels.”
Called in as cover into Scotland’s training squad ahead of the opening RBS 6 Nations match against Wales in February, Newlands admits he was hugely flattered by the call-up and revealed he is now aiming to rekindle his involvement with the national team in the future.
He said: “It was the highlight of the season for me. Although it was due to other people’s injuries and I wasn’t really that close to the match squad, it was still a privilege for me to be involved with Scotland. Hopefully I can get involved with Scotland again in the future.”
Meanwhile, Newlands has shown his commitment to Edinburgh by signing on for the 2009/2010 season and now supporters can follow suit by signing up for season ticket packages – now on general sale.
The 09/10 Edinburgh Rugby season ticket provides top-class rugby at a great value price with young rugby enthusiasts (under the age of 18) only being charged £30 for the entire season.
Adult season tickets cost £160 while Concession (senior citizen and student) tickets are priced at £80 and these entitle supporters to gain access to all Edinburgh’s Magners League games and Heineken Cup Pool matches (12 fixtures) with the added bonus of entry to the 1872 Cup away game at Glasgow Warriors.
Plus Edinburgh season ticket holders can watch a further two Glasgow games of their choice and take two friends to Edinburgh’s main home pre-season friendly in August.
Overall, the packages incorporate 18 tickets for season ticket holders – that translates into 24 hours of top-class rugby action.
Edinburgh season ticket holders are also entitled to some exclusive prizes; including being automatically entered in the club’s monthly ‘Money Can’t Buy’ draw.
Premium Season Ticket packages (featuring hospitality in the celebrated Legends Lounge) are also available. For more details please visit www.edinburghrugby.org.
Notes to editors:
• 95% of Edinburgh’s 42-man squad are Scottish qualified and 13 of the 22-man squad selected for the previous match against Leinster are full Scotland internationalists.
• Edinburgh have now won their previous six home matches at Murrayfield Stadium since Boxing Day (Glasgow, Ulster, Castres, Connacht, Cardiff and Leinster).
• Edinburgh recorded a 20% increase in attendance during the 2008/2009 Heineken Cup season.
• Edinburgh broke the nation’s record crowd for a Magners League match when 12, 534 watched the David Lloyd 1872 Cup match against Glasgow on Boxing Day.
• Since being appointed Edinburgh head coach in October 2007, head coach Andy Robinson has only signed Scottish qualified players (13, Ross Ford, Jim Hamilton, Chris Paterson, Kyle Traynor, Sean Crombie, Steven Turnbull, Jim Thompson, Fraser McKenzie, Bruce McNeil, Marc Teague, Scott MacLeod, Ross Samson, Roddy Grant).
