Scotland hooker Ross Ford has handed Edinburgh a major boost by signing a new contract that will keep him in the Scottish capital until 2011. After becoming Edinburgh head coach Andy Robinson’s first signing in October, Ford has proceeded to play a pivotal role in helping the club climb to third place in the Magners League and he also shone in the Heineken Cup wins over Leinster and Leicester Tigers. Ford, who has won 16 caps for his country, says he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to continue playing rugby for Edinburgh for the next three years.Ford, 23, said: I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Edinburgh; since I joined the club three months ago everything has worked out brilliantly. I feel Ive improved as a player and also grown as a character. Working with Andy (Robinson) every day has added a lot to my game and that has been shown by the team’s results. I think Edinburgh have surprised a few teams so far this season and I genuinely believe we have the potential to challenge for trophies over the next three years. ‘scoring a try in our home win over Leicester in the Heineken Cup was one of the highlights of my career so far and I think the team will get even better in the future. Robinson announced he was delighted to have secured the services of the Edinburgh-born front rower for the next three years and forecasted a bright future for the ex-Kelso High School student. Robinson said: Ross has performed consistently well this year and he has huge potential. It is great news for both Edinburgh and Scotland that he has committed himself to the club for the next three years. His work ethic is one trait that really stands out; Ross is always looking to improve. Edinburgh chief executive Nic Cartwright echoed the words of Robinson and also praised Ford. Cartwright said: Ross is a valued member of the team and, as a talented young Scottish player, symbolises the new era at Edinburgh Rugby Club. Anyone who has seen him play will agree he is a very special talent and he is also a good character to have around the place. It’s fantastic news that he has agreed to sign for another three years. Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie was also pleased with the news and highlighted the fact Ford’s decision to stay in Scotland correlates with the recently unveiled strategic plan designed to keep the nation’s best players playing their rugby in the country. McKie said: Ross has developed into an outstanding rugby player and has already made an impact at national team level; even though he is still only 23. We felt that the ideal environment for him to develop and progress was here in Scotland and fortunately Ross shared that mindset. He is an ambitious young player and, following on from the new deals of John Beattie, John Barclay and Mike Blair, it is another boost for Scottish Rugby. PLAYER BIOGRAPHY – ROSS FORD Hooker. Born 23.04.84, Edinburgh. 6ft 1in, 17st 5lbs. Ross William Ford scored his first try for Scotland in his first Rugby World Cup appearance as a second-half substitute in the 56-10 victory over Portugal. He made his first start in the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Scotland’s final match of the 2007 competition, away to France. He followed that up by winning plaudits for his lineout throwing and play in both tight and loose in Scotland’s World Cup warm-up victory against Ireland. Ross won his first senior cap for Scotland when he was introduced as a replacement during the opening match of the 2004 Abbey Autumn Tests against Australia at Murrayfield. It was over a year until he made his second appearance, reward for a solid season with the Border Reivers, when he came on as a replacement against Wales in the 2006 RBS 6 Nations. He was introduced from the bench again in the following match against England. A former pupil of Kelso High School, Ross was a member of the Commonwealth Games Sevens Squad at Manchester in 2002 and captained Scotland under-16. He has also represented his country at under-18 and under-19 level. He is a member of the Scottish Institute of Sport. Injury forced him to miss the 2006 summer tour to South Africa but he returned to international action last season. International record: 16 caps. 2004 A(rep). 2006 W(rep), E (rep) PI (rep) A (rep). 2007 E (rep) W (rep) It (rep) I (rep) F I (2) SA, Por (rep) R It Arg. Points: 5 1 try.