High five hands Ritchie a double boost

EDINBURGH back-row forward Jamie Ritchie had a very special five minutes that has set him up for the start of the Pro14 season.

First, he was called aside by head coach Richard Cockerill on Thursday and told he would start for the first time as club captain for the pre-season friendly against Sale Sharks.

Five minutes later, the phone rang. It was Gregor Townsend calling him up for the Scotland training camp at St Andrews that starts tomorrow.

‘All of that after my birthday the day before,’ said a smiling Ritchie, who turned 21 on Wednesday. ‘To be named to start as Edinburgh captain was a huge surprise and honour.

‘Richard told me I would be captain just before I got the phone call from Gregor, so it was a busy five minutes for me.’ Things didn’t go as planned for Ritchie (below) in his first run-out as skipper, with Edinburgh losing 24-20 to Sale. With the likes of Ross Ford rested for that match, it is unlikely Ritchie will be named full-time captain, but getting the honour first up shows that he has made an immediate impression on new coach Cockerill. ‘I enjoyed being captain and didn’t try to change too much about my game,’ said the blindside flanker. ‘Having Richard in charge has brought a hard-work ethic, with players upping their game on that side of things. There is also a huge change in mindset and culture.’

The Scotland call-up has given Ritchie added incentive to ensure he has a great season with Edinburgh as he attempts to win his first international cap.

‘The only way I can guarantee a place in the Scotland camp is if I play well for Edinburgh, so that is my mindset,’ said the flanker. ‘At the Scotland camp, I’ll get to know players and coaches — but there is only so much I can do in training.

‘My main focus is playing well for Edinburgh to keep me in the frame in the future.’

Cockerill said: ‘Jamie is a very good player who works hard. He is just 21 years old and is part of the future of Edinburgh rugby.’