Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Scotland stars extend Edinburgh stay
O’Sullivan was beaten 6-1 by John Higgins in the semi-finals of the Scottish Open last week.
The Rocket, though, did not need to find top gear to come through against Hicks, making just one half-century break in
EDINBURGH head coach Mike Blair is delighted Scotland locks Jamie Hodgson and Marshall Sykes have signed new contracts with the club.
Hodgson, 23, and Sykes, 21, both made their international debuts in the recent Autumn Test against Tonga, with Hodgson going on to face Australia and world champions South Africa at BT Murrayfield.
The second-row pair have played a key role in Edinburgh’s impressive start to the 2021-22 season, with Hodgson featuring in six matches and Sykes five.
Blair told the club’s official website: “Jamie and Marshall have both been excellent for us so far this season and thoroughly deserved their Scotland debuts in the autumn.
“They both bring a different style and skill set to the squad but are as equally hard working and determined to continually develop and improve as players.
“We’re delighted to see two more young Scottish academy graduates commit their future to the club and we hope that they’ll be part of Edinburgh Rugby for the foreseeable future.”
Sykes, who joined the club from Glasgow in 2020, is excited about the future with Edinburgh.
He said: “This year has been massive for me. I feel every opportunity I’ve had, I haven’t taken for granted – from playing with Edinburgh to gaining my first cap against Tonga. At the same time, I look forward to what’s ahead, knowing I’m in the right place to keep pushing myself to get better.”
Hodgson, a former
Watsonians player who has made 30 appearances since making his Edinburgh debut in 2018, added: “Edinburgh Rugby is a really enjoyable place to be at the minute. We are so lucky to have an incredible group of players and staff and it definitely feels like we are building something special at the club.”
■ LONG-SERVING Glasgow centre Peter Horne has announced he will be retiring from playing in the new year following his appointment as head coach of FOSROC Super6 side Ayrshire Bulls.
Since making his debut in 2009, the 32-year-old has represented Warriors 182 times, putting him fourth on the club’s alltime appearance list.
Horne – a one-club man – also won 45 caps for Scotland and was in the squad that competed at the World Cups in 2015 and 2019. He enjoyed the distinction of playing alongside younger brother George for both club and country.
Horne said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to be retiring on my own terms, I’m immensely proud.”