Shiel determined to follow family traditions

Scrum-half Charlie Shiel hopes to perpetuate his family’s rugby traditions with both club and country after signing his first professional contract with Edinburgh.

The 20-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father, Graham, and grandfather, Dougie Morgan, who both represented Edinburgh and Scotland.

Now Shiel Jr has set his sights on doing the same after graduating from the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy.

“As a young kid from Edinburgh, you always dream of playing for the club, so to sign my first contract here is a brilliant feeling,” he said.

“It’s really cool to follow in both my dad and granddad’s footsteps. You grow up watching them both play for the club, and you really want to emulate that.

“I’m very excited – especially the way the club is going at the moment, winning a lot of games on the bounce and pushing into that top three in the league.

“I’m looking forward to kicking on now and trying to get as much game time as possible.”

Shiel has represented both Edinburgh and Scotland at various youth levels, as well as playing for BT Premiership outfit Currie Chieftains.

He hit the headlines during last year’s Under-20s World Cup in Georgia by scoring a last-gasp try to defeat Australia, securing Scotland under-20s’ highest ever finish of fifth place.

Shiel’s father Graham, who earned 18 caps for Scotland, captained Edinburgh from 2000 until 2002.

His grandfather was a 21-time Scotland international who twice appeared for the British and Irish Lions during the 1977 tour of New Zealand, having represented Edinburgh District throughout an illustrious career.

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill added: “We’re delighted that Charlie has signed his first professional deal with the club.

“He’s a player with great potential and whose history and heritage give him a deep connection to the club.

“We’re excited to see how Charlie develops heading into next season.”

● Edinburgh’s clash with Munster at Murrayfield tonight has been postponed.

Picture: SNS. Charlie Shiel has signed his first pro contract with Edinburgh.