Domestic form earns capital contract

Former Trinity Primary and Hawick High School pupil Rory Sutherland came through the ranks with his hometown club and school sides before representing the Borders and Scotland at under-17 and U18 in the back-row.

He switched to loose-head prop during his first season of senior rugby at Hawick RFC and, after a season with Biggar, caught the attention of RBS Premiership runners-up and Border League winners Gala RFC.

Under the tutelage of head coach George Graham, the dynamic 21 year-old has been a mainstay in one of the most imposing packs of the country's top domestic division, and subsequently earned selection for Scotland Club XV earlier this year.

Sutherland said: "I'm delighted to sign a pro deal. I'm really pleased and grateful to get this opportunity and am really keen to start.

"I'm just excited to keep learning and keep improving. Dedicating all of my time to getting fitter, stronger, faster and more skilful will make a big difference.

"I can't wait to get started."

Sutherland is the second player from the Netherdale club to join the elite development roster in as many seasons.

Tighthead prop Ewan McQuillin joined the club last year and recently secured a place on the prestigious Macphail summer scholarship experience to New Zealand.

Edinburgh Rugby head coach, Alan Solomons, said: "We're very pleased to welcome one of Scotland's top performing amateur players into our squad for next season.

"We keep a close eye on the domestic leagues and those who stand out will be invited into our set-up - that is precisely what happened with Ewan [McQuillin] and now again with Rory [Sutherland].

"It is another example of us giving effect to our vision of building a sustainable club through the medium of promising young Scottish players, with Rory learning from, and competing with, fellow looseheads Alasdair Dickinson, Allan Dell and Wicus Blaauw next season."


Rory Sutherland (21)

Born 24/08/192 in Melrose

Height: 6ft; weight, 110kg

Representative honours:

Borders U17, U18; Scotland U17, U18, U20 training squad; Scotland Club XV