International age grade captain commits to club

One of Edinburgh Rugby’s brightest young prospects, back row Jamie Ritchie, has committed his future to Edinburgh Rugby. Scotland under-20 captain Ritchie, who joined the club straight from school at the start of last season, has signed for a further three years, taking him through until at least May 2019. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my first eighteen months of professional rugby and I’m very excited to be continuing with the club. “I like where the club’s going, I enjoy working with Solly [Alan Solomons] and playing alongside such a great bunch of guys – it’s been said before but we really are like brothers.” The Dundee-born nineteen-year-old enjoyed his first taste of rugby with Madrascals in St Andrews and went on to play with the Howe of Fife senior team while at Strathallan School from where he signed terms with Edinburgh in May 2014. Reflecting on his move straight from school Ritchie said: “It was a great opportunity and, yes, I had to adjust quickly but I went at it with an open mind and fed off the environment.” Ritchie made his professional debut in the Guinness PRO12 against Leinster at the RDS last season and followed that up earlier this season with a first European Cup appearance, off the bench, in the away win over Agen, a highlight he’s looking to build on. He said: “Being with the squad at the European Cup Final was amazing and after playing against Agen the other week, I’m really looking forward to making a first start in European competition. “Of course, I can’t wait for the 1872 Scottish Cup matches and will really challenge myself to get into the team for those games. I’ve played with a lot of the Glasgow guys through the Scotland age grades and I’d love the chance to play against them and retain the Cup!” As Ritchie and the squad gear up to defend the trophy, the club’s managing director, Jonny Petrie said: “We’re very pleased to be able to secure Jamie’s services here at Edinburgh Rugby for the next three years. “He has shown himself to have huge potential and I have no doubt that he will continue his development and become a hugely important player for the club over that period.  “Retaining the brightest Scottish Rugby talent here is a key part of what we are trying to do, so this is a great signature for us.”1872 Scottish Cup ticketsThe first leg of this year’s derby double-header against Glasgow Warriors, as Edinburgh seek to retain the 1872 Scottish Cup, takes place at BT Murrayfield on Sunday 27 December at 3.05pm. Tickets for all matches can be purchased online at edinburghrugby.org, over the phone (0131 346 5180) or from the Ticket Centre in Roseburn Street.