The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Edinburgh seek new home after quitting Myreside
Edinburgh have announced that they will be leaving their Myreside home on a permanent basis.
The club had already confirmed plans to play the rest of their Guinness PRO14 and European Challenge Cup fixtures at BT Murrayfield, and have now decided to leave Myreside altogether as they seek a new permanent home.
It ends a brief stay at the ground, which is owned by Scottish Premiership side Watsonians, after agreeing a deal just two years ago to move back to the 5,500-capacity venue, which was not big enough to accommodate bumper attendances for either derby or big European games.
The club have exercised an option to cut the stay short immediately and move back to the national stadium – where they have played intermittently this season – following previous concerns that the constant switching of venues was having a negative impact on Richard Cockerill’s squad.
A statement from the club said: “Following a review of the partnership between Edinburgh Rugby and George Watson’s College, it can be confirmed that Edinburgh has exercised its option not to continue using Myreside as the club’s home venue.
“The club and the school have enjoyed a very positive relationship since first exploring the feasibility of moving Edinburgh matches to Myreside two years ago. Both sides look forward to continuing that co-operation in the future.
“Edinburgh Rugby will now continue to develop its ambitious plans for a suitable home venue and will share this vision with supporters as soon as possible.”
The immediate return to Murrayfield has been put on hold after last night’s match with Munster was cancelled due to heavy snow.
The club also announced that Scotland prop Darryl Marfo has signed a new two-year deal.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season since joining from Bath last summer.
Marfo was a surprise pick by Gregor Townsend in the autumn internationals but responded to the call with fine displays against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
He would have been a guaranteed pick in the NatWest 6 Nations had it not been for a back injury picked up in November, but is set to return to fitness before the end of the season and has now secured his Edinburgh future through to 2020.
He told the club: “I’m extremely happy and proud to have re-signed with Edinburgh, at a time when the club is heading in a very positive direction.
“The team’s success is spearheaded by an excellent management group and I’m looking forward to contributing to help make the club as successful as possible.”