Quartet sign new Edinburgh deals

Openside flanker Rennie, who turned 22 last month, has played a pivotal role in Edinburgh's on-field success over the course of the season.

As a result, the Edinburgh-born forward was rewarded with his Scotland Test debut against Ireland in February.

Now Rennie has committed his future to his hometown club by signing a new deal that will keep him in the Scottish capital until 2010; something he admits he is delighted about.

Rennie said: "I'm very happy about committing myself to another two years at Edinburgh. I have been pleased with the way Edinburgh has been going so far this season and I've enjoyed it.

"The most pleasing aspect this season has been the way the team has come together and managed to produce some good results.

"I have been here for a long time both as an apprentice and as a professional, so I know what Edinburgh is about.

"It is my local team and I've played here for a few years now along with the vast majority of the players. It is a great club and I'm very happy to be a part of it."

Rennie acknowledges that his game has improved immeasurably under the tutelage of head coach Andy Robinson, who was a former Lions' openside flanker.

He added: "Obviously Andy has been a big influence on me and he has really helped me to develop my game.

"He is very good at drip-feeding us information about how he wants us to play the game. He has been very good for me this season."

Versatile back Houston also enjoyed a breakthrough year and, in his debut season as a professional after joining from Heriots, scored tries in the Heineken Cup against Toulouse and Leinster.

The 25-year-old, who has signed until 2010, admits he has been surprised with the progress he has made since September, but says that is all down to being handed the chance.

Houston said: "I'm delighted with the opportunities I've been given to play and I've loved every minute of it.

"I was pretty surprised to be given game-time against such good teams like Toulouse and it was even better to be scoring tries against them.

"It was quite an elevation to go from playing in club internationals to being selected in Scotland's A squad.

"But it just goes to show what can happen when players are given a chance in professional rugby."

Houston expressed his gratitude towards his former clubs Hawick and Heriots, where he acts as a conditioning coach, as he looks towards his second season in full-time rugby

He added: "Both clubs were great; I played at Hawick for five years and I loved it there. Then I came to Heriots and they changed the way I play a bit and pushed me really hard towards becoming a professional."

Like Rennie, quick winger Turnbull is a product of the Scottish capital's thriving rugby scene and the former Watsonians back is currently Edinburgh's leading try scorer in the Magners League.

The 26-year-old says he is pleased with how his first season at the club has panned out and that he is planning to achieve even more next year.

Turnbull said: "I'm happy with how it has all gone; I've played more than I initially thought I would.

"I have really enjoyed it and it has been my first season getting decent 15-a-side rugby. I've still got a lot to work on for next year, but I've really enjoyed my first season.

"I would have liked to have scored a wee bit more, but it has been good to have scored a few tries.

"Coming from Edinburgh it has been good to play for my home team. I've got lots of friends and family here and it has been good for them to be able to come and watch me play."

After winning the 125th Melrose Sevens in the colours of the Scottish Thistles and playing against the Barbarians for Edinburgh Academicals, Laidlaw has marked an extraordinary month in his career by signing a new two-year deal with Edinburgh.

The 22-year-old scrum half recorded his first start of the season in Edinburgh's Magners League win over Leinster two weeks ago and revealed he is targeting even greater feats next term.

Laidlaw said: "I'm extremely happy to be re-signing. I've had two enjoyable years at Edinburgh so far and now I'm looking to push on.

"It was good to start against Leinster and to win the game as well just capped it off.

"It has been a different nine months for me; chopping and changing from playing Sevens, Accies (Edinburgh Academicals) and Edinburgh.

"But because of that I feel I've learned lots of different things and that I have improved as a rugby player."