​Edinburgh sign Super6 star Kitchen

• 26 June 2020
• News

Edinburgh Rugby have continued to strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign with the signing of hooker Sam Kitchen, subject to medical.

Kitchen, 26, joins the club from Ayrshire Bulls in a partnership deal with the FOSROC Super6 side, with the signing secured prior to lockdown coming into effect in March.

The Australian-born hooker joined the Bulls from Sydney side Northern Suburbs in September 2019 and finished as the FOSROC Super6 top try-scorer with eight scores in his debut season at Millbrae.

On penning a partnership deal, Kitchen, said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to sign with Edinburgh Rugby.

“It’s been an incredible journey and I look forward to my next challenge in the Guinness PRO14 and European club competitions.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “We’ve been really impressed with Sam having watched him progress in this year’s Super6 competition.

“He’s got a really solid set-piece, while he’s clearly got an eye for a gap and a knack for getting over the whitewash given his try-scoring record this season.

“We’re looking forward to working with Sam and we’re keen to see his game develop further within the pro environment.”

Born in Sydney, Kitchen came through the ranks at the city’s Knox Grammar School and saw game time with the Emerging Rays – the junior team of NRC side Sydney – in 2014-15 while playing his club rugby with Northern Suburbs.

The hooker joined Ayrshire Bulls to start the 2019-20 campaign and was an immediate success in the inaugural FORSROC Super6 tournament.

Kitchen scored his first try for the club in the round two 32-27 win over Boroughmuir Bears, before grabbing a brace of scores in the 29-10 win over Southern Knights in round three.

Kitchen now pens a professional partnership deal with the capital club that sees him eligible for selection ahead of a proposed 2019-20 Guinness PRO14 restart.