Scotland prop extends Edinburgh stay
CONTRACT NEWS: Edinburgh has continued to strengthen their squad ahead of next season with the re-signing of Scotland international prop Rory Sutherland.
Sutherland, 27 – now in his sixth season at the club – puts pen-to-paper on a new deal following a number of impressive appearances in both the Pro14 and European Challenge Cup this current campaign.
The former Hawick, Biggar and Gala prop joined the capital club in 2014 and made his debut against Munster in September that same year.
An abrasive loosehead, capped three times for Scotland, Sutherland has so far made 79 appearances in Edinburgh’s front row.
On penning a new deal, Sutherland, said: “I’m delighted to once again commit my future to Edinburgh. This is now my sixth year at the club and I’m really enjoying my time here.
“My own personal game has improved massively over the past few years and I’m very excited to continue working with Cockers and the rest of the coaching staff.
“I can’t wait to see what’s to come for us over the course of this season and into the next.”
Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Suz has been an extremely diligent and hard-working senior player during my time at the club. We’re delighted to have re-signed him.
“The club clearly means a lot to him and he’s passionate about continuing to develop his own game. He’s got a big role to play in the seasons to come.”
A product of Hawick RFC, Sutherland came through the ranks of his hometown team before representing the Borders and Scotland at under-17 and under-18 levels in the back-row.
After turning out for Borders outfit Gala RFC, in 2013 the dynamic loosehead prop earned selection for Scotland Club XV, before joining the Foscroc Scottish Academy on a full-time basis the following season.
Sutherland signed his first professional deal with Edinburgh at the start of the 2014/15 season and grabbed his first try for the club in the 25-15 European Challenge Cup win over London Welsh in December 2014.
He made his Scotland debut as replacement loosehead prop against Ireland in the 2016 Six Nations, making him Scotland’s 1075th Test international. Two further caps followed on the 2016 Summer Tour, which included his first start – against Japan in Tokyo.
Sutherland has so far appeared in four fixtures this current campaign, and featured from the bench in November’s historic 16-18 win over Munster at Irish Independent Park – the capital club’s first victory in Cork since 2004.
