The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Edinburgh joy as new British Lion Dell extends stay in capital
CONTRACTS: Experienced pair expected to set standard
Edinburgh have secured the services of their new British Lion Allan Dell and Namibian lock Anton Bresler for the new season as head coach Richard Cockerill continues to assess the squad.
Dell, 25, who was called on to the British and Irish Lions tour after Scotland’s victory over Australia in Sydney a week ago, came off the bench to earn his first stint in the famous red jersey in the win against the Chiefs in Hamilton last Tuesday.
Dell’s Lions call ended a remarkable season in which he started as arguably Edinburgh’s third-choice loose-head prop, behind Alasdair Dickinson and Rory Sutherland.
However, injuries to both those Scotland caps allowed him to force his way in for his first cap against Australia in the opening November test.
The South-African born prop started three of Scotland’s five Six Nations matches and all three of the autumn international Tests. He played some part in all of Scotland’s Test matches in 2016-17 until he missed Saturday’s final tour match in Fiji due to his call to New Zealand.
Bresler was thought to be on his way out of the capital club, having completed his three-year contract, but has signed on for another year.
Cockerill said: “I’ve been impressed with Allan’s performances for Scotland on their summer tour and it was pleasing to see him make an impact when he appeared for the Lions off the bench against the Chiefs.
“Anton is a physical player and has been a key player for Edinburgh in recent seasons.
“Both Allan and Anton are experienced professionals, so I’m looking for both of them to really push our young players on and help set the standard for Edinburgh going forward.”
Dell gained his first Scotland cap in the opening game of the 2016 November Test Series game against Australia, and has featured for the national team in every match since. He has also made 39 appearances for Edinburgh since joining in 2013.
Bresler joined the club in the summer of 2014 from Super Rugby side the Sharks and has gone on to make 53 appearances in black and red.
In the meantime Edinburgh have asked for “patience” from fans as they make a final decision on whether to stay at Myreside for the majority of their home games or return to play at BT Murrayfield.
The club had a trial run from the turn of the year playing at the Watsonians ground in an attempt to improve the playing atmosphere from the 67,000 seat national stadium where their average crowd was less than 4,000.
A decision is imminent on whether the trial will become permanent, a club spokesman said on Twitter.