Edinburgh snap up two Scottish qualified props from English and Welsh sides

Edinburgh have announced the signing of two Scottish qualified props for next season with James Whitcombe and Rhys Litterick arriving from Leicester and Cardiff respectively.

Whitcombe joins from the Tigers on a three-year deal while Litterick has inked a two-year contract.

Whitcombe, 24, who qualifies for Scotland through his Falkirk-born grandmother, will make the move to the Scottish capital this summer, adding significant firepower to the club’s front-row options.

Premiership regular

He has been a regular fixture for Leicester Tigers this season, with 16 appearances including five starts. He has also played a key role off the bench in their recent Premiership victories over Northampton Saints and Bristol Bears.

On joining Edinburgh this summer, Whitcombe said: “I’m really looking forward to the move up north. It’s a fresh opportunity for me – a chance to challenge myself in a new environment, both on and off the pitch. Edinburgh’s a great city, and I’m excited to get stuck in and be part of the club.

“The chance to test myself in a new league, against different styles of rugby and international opposition, was a big draw. The URC is an exciting competition and I felt that Edinburgh was the right place for me to continue developing and push myself further.

“I want to help the club win trophies. That’s the goal. I want to contribute to a successful team and be part of something special in the Scottish capital.

Head coach Sean Everitt added: “Securing a player of James’ quality on a long-term deal is a significant coup for the club. He is a highly-rated young prop with a fantastic pedigree, having come through a strong Leicester Tigers system and gained valuable experience in a very competitive Premiership environment.

“At just 24, James has already shown his capabilities at a high level, and we believe he has massive potential to become a key player for Edinburgh Rugby. He is a powerful presence in the front-row, both at the set-piece and around the park, and his desire to develop further aligns perfectly with our ambitions for the team.

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“Our squad is shaping up nicely for next season, and James adds further quality and depth to our already talented front-row. We are excited to welcome him to Edinburgh this summer and see the impact he can make.”

Litterick, who qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born grandfather, will make the move north this summer, further strengthening the capital pack.

The 26-year-old has featured prominently for Cardiff Rugby this season, making 18 appearances, including seven starts.

His arrival will add valuable experience and depth to Edinburgh’s front-row, complementing the recent contract extensions of Scotland international props Pierre Schoeman and D’arcy Rae, alongside the continued development of academy props Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Jamie Stewart.

Speaking about his move to the Scottish capital, Litterick said: “I’m really looking forward to making the move to Edinburgh this summer. It’s a massive opportunity to grow both on and off the pitch in a new environment. Edinburgh is an amazing city with a lot to offer.

“It’s a huge club full of quality players who pride themselves on their set piece and physicality, which is something I want to be a part of and learn from. As a tighthead, I take a lot of pride in my set piece and working hard around the pitch.

Keen to keep learning

“I want to keep improving as a player and learning as much as I can from the coaches and the boys around me. There’s a great setup in Edinburgh and I’m keen to take full advantage of that. Hopefully, I can contribute as much as I can to push for silverware.”

Edinburgh head coach Everitt added: “Rhys has shown impressive consistency in a quality Cardiff side this season, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Edinburgh.

“Tighthead is a position where there is often a lot of attrition, so bolstering our options with a prop of Rhys’s calibre is crucial for us. His age profile is also a significant asset, as he’s still young for the position at just 26.

“We believe he has the potential to be an important player for the club over the next two years, and we look forward to seeing him integrate into our squad this summer.”

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