Scotland star extends Edinburgh stay
TRANSFER NEWS: Scotland international lock Ben Toolis has today extended his stay in the capital after penning a new deal with Edinburgh Rugby.
Toolis, 27 – who joined the club’s academy in 2013 – was last week named in Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations squad, while the lock played a pivotal role in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup win over Agen that saw the capital club secure a place in the last eight of the tournament.
The 22-times capped lock has so far made 119 appearances for the club and last season became the capital side’s 32nd centurion, playing his 100th Edinburgh Rugby game in the 23-7 1872 Cup win over Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield.
On signing a new deal, Toolis, said: “I’m delighted to have re-signed with Edinburgh Rugby.
“It has become my home and, as is evident through our positive results in the league and in Europe, we are moving in a really exciting direction. The future is bright for this club.”
Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Ben is one of the most athletic locks in the league, while his ability and leadership at the lineout is key to the way we play.
“We’re delighted to see him re-sign and I’ve got no doubt that he’ll continue to be a big player for this club in the years to come.”
2⃣0⃣1⃣3⃣ 👉 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣
His hair and beard may have changed, but @bentoolis commitment hasn’t! ✍️
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— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) January 22, 2020
Born in Brisbane, 6ft 8in lock, Toolis, 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.
After coming through the club’s Elite Development Programme, Toolis made his debut from the bench away to Ulster in November 2013, before making his first start for the club against Zebre in April 2014.
Toolis saw significantly more game time during his second full season with the club, featuring in 23 total fixtures, while the lock scored his first try for the club in the European Challenge Cup Semi-Final final win over Dragons in April 2015.
The lock’s club form soon saw him pick up international accolades and after being named in the Scotland squad ahead of the 2015 Six Nations, he made his full international debut from the bench against Italy in March 2015.
Toolis made his 50th appearance for the club in the 11-try 36-35 European Challenge Cup win over Harlequins at BT Murrayfield in October 2016, while he continued to see game time on the international stage.
The lock started as Scotland secured a famous 19-24 win over Australia in Sydney on the 2017 Summer Tour before featuring in Six Nations matches against Wales and France the following year.
Following a stellar 2017/18 campaign, Toolis penned a new two-year deal with the club, while he made his 100th Edinburgh Rugby appearance against Glasgow Warriors in December 2018.
The lock has forged a solid second-row partnership with Scotland teammate Grant Gilchrist in recent years and today commits his immediate future to the cub.
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