Edinburgh Rugby are pleased to announce the signing of David Bishop on a three-month contract.
The Wales under-21 cap, who can play either of the centre positions and on the wing, will increase the number of backline options available to head coach Rob Moffat at a time when Alex Blair, John Houston and Andrew Turnbull are involved with the Scotland 7s team at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Bishop completed a medical at Murrayfield on Monday afternoon and trained with his new teammates for the first time today. The 27-year-old is no stranger to the Magners League, having spent three seasons with the Ospreys and one with the now defunct Celtic Warriors. He turned out for Sale Sharks last term before spending the early part of this campaign with Newport Gwent Dragons.
The Treorchy-born player today expressed his delight at joining the capital club. He told www.edinburghrugby.org, “I’m really pleased to have been given this opportunity, and will be doing everything I can to make the most of it.
“The move has the potential to be a real win-win situation, with me getting the chance to show what I can do and Edinburgh getting a bit more strength in depth in the backs. I’m happy to play wherever I’m picked, and will be pushing hard in training to earn selection.
"I've played against Edinburgh a few times and I'm well aware of the talent that exists in the squad. I'm excited about the calibre of player I'll be working alongside and I really can't wait to get started."
Bishop, whose brother Andrew plays for the Ospreys and has won 11 caps for Wales, has been registered for Edinburgh’s Heineken Cup campaign, which begins with a match in the player’s native land against Cardiff Blues on Saturday (kick-off 5.45pm, live on Sky Sports via the red button).
Moffat today welcomed Bishop’s arrival, stating that his experience would prove valuable over the coming weeks. The head coach confirmed: “David has been involved with a number of clubs at a high level, and we’re happy to have that know-how on board.
“Before making him an offer, I spoke to a number of people who’ve worked with him, and everything they had to say was positive. He’s here to put his hand up, and I’m looking forward to him challenging the other guys in training.
“With a few guys away at the Commonwealth Games, and a few others like Nick De Luca, Andrew Easson and Simon Webster still coming back from injuries, David will give us an added bit of depth. I’m really pleased we’ve got him.”
David Bishop
Born: 22 September 1983
Birthplace: Treorchy
Height: 1.91m (6’ 3”)
Weight: 100kg (15st 10lb)
Previous clubs: Celtic Warriors, Ospreys, Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons
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