Watson is thrilled to extend deal in capital
EDINBURGH Rugby delivered some muchneeded cheer to their supporters yesterday by announcing that in-demand flanker Hamish Watson has signed a new long-term deal to remain at the club.
Heineken Cup finalists Racing 92 had also been in the market for the 29-year- old and had hoped to reunite Watson with Scotland team-mate Finn Russell in Paris.
That sparked f ears among Edinburgh fans about a second high-profile departure in the space of a few days following news that Duhan van der Merwe would be moving to Worcester Warriors in the summer.
So head coach Richard Cockerill was a relieved man yesterday when the club managed to tie down a player he described as ‘ world class’.
And Watson (below), who has been with the Murrayfield club for a decade now, declared that he would be happy to finish his career with the capital side having extended his contract.
‘I have been at Edinburgh since I was 19,’ said the Manchester-born star. ‘It really is home for me and my family. My two girls were born here and we’re so happy to be spending more of our lives here.
‘I feel like we have both shown each other a great deal of loyalty. I love playing for Edinburgh. It means so much to me and, like I said last time round, I can’t see myself in another team’s jersey.
‘I feel like the club has been, and is, heading in the right direction to win something over the next few years. That is what I believe this group of players is capable of and it would be great to do it for the club and for the fans.
‘All the players can’ t wait to welcome all the f ans back after Covid- 19 to our new home. I personally can’t wait to see the fans again and continue this journey.’
The player, nicknamed Pinball f or the way he bounces off opponents as he roams up the pitch, has become a fans’ favourite for club and country in recent seasons.
And Cockerill revealed that Watson would be a key figure in his future plans for the club. He said: ‘This is really fantastic news for Edinburgh and a great statement on our plans for this squad for the seasons ahead.
‘We’re delighted that he’s staying — any coach would be happy to have him — and he will continue to bring his relentless approach to rugby every time he takes to the field.
‘He’s an incredible, world- class athlete and rugby player, and he shows incredible commitment every time he takes to the field for club or country, but he also has a very good rugby brain.
‘He’s a very popular and senior member of our player group and it’s great to have him committed to the club for the foreseeable future.’
Watson joined Edinburgh’ s academy from Leicester Tigers as a 19-year- old before making his club debut later that same year. He has earned 116 appearances for the club as well as 36 caps for Scotland after making his senior international debut in 2015. He is now considered a main stay in Greg or Townsend’s back row and is being touted as a potential member of Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad planning to t our South Africa in the summer. Watson made his 100th Edinburgh appearance in the 1872 Cup match against Glasgow Warriors in April 2019, with his future now secure going into tomorrow night’s return-leg derby at Scotstoun.