Ben Toolis

Benjamin Martin Toolis joined Edinburgh Rugby on an Academy contract from GPS Old Boys in summer 2013, alongside his twin brother, Alex.

The lock was awarded a full professional contract the following year, and went on to win his first Scotland cap in the 2015 RBS 6 Nations game against Italy.

The 6ft 8in lock arrived at the club in the summer of 2013 from Queensland Premier Grade side GPS Old Boys having represented Australia Youth (under-18) and Junior (under-20) at volleyball prior to his arrival in the Scottish capital, which sits alongside his impressive rugby pedigree.

Toolis represented the Australian National Academy in the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, and reached consecutive Premier Grade semi-finals in 2012 and 2013, an honour he shared with his twin brother Alex.

The lock is eligible to represent Scotland through their mother, Linda, who is from Carluke in Lanarkshire and both joined Edinburgh as part of the club’s Elite Development Programme.

Toolis made his 50th Edinburgh appearance in the 36-35 win over Harlequins in the 2016/17 Challenge Cup, before making 100th appearance for the club in the 23-7 1872 Cup win over Glasgow Warriors in December 2018.

Toolis enjoyed a stellar 2017/18 campaign and was rewarded for his dominant domestic form as he signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2020.