‘One-club man’ Scotland international inks new deal with Edinburgh

Edinburgh have announced that Scotland second-row Grant Gilchrist has agreed terms on a new contract which will keep him at the United Rugby Championship club until at least June 2025.

A one-club man, who has been on Edinburgh’s books since 2011, Gilchrist played in his 194th game for the Scottish side in their Challenge Cup triumph over Castres at Hive Stadium on Saturday.

Since the start of the 2023/24 season, the 33-year-old is also serving as Edinburgh‘s co-captain – alongside Ben Vellacott – after previously serving in a leadership role as the team’s skipper in four separate seasons.

Happy to stay on at Edinburgh

Gilchrist is happy to continue his stay at Edinburgh and is looking forward to continue his association with the club which he has supported since his childhood.

“I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract. I’ve made no secret of my love for my boyhood club and the city I call home” he said.

“My two young boys are now Edinburgh supporters and love coming to the games and chanting ‘Ed-in-burgh’, so my connection to the club only gets deeper and deeper.

“I’m desperate to help bring success for our fans and believe we have the squad, coaches and staff to make that happen.”

After joining Edinburgh’s centurions’ club in their clash against the Dragons in September 2017, Gilchrist’s next goal is to become only the second player to make 200 appearances for the club – after the legendary Allan ‘Chunk’ Jacobsen, who played in 286 games between 1999 and 2013.

“It would be a huge honour for me to reach 200 caps, to be up there with the absolute legends of this club is a bit surreal to be honest,” added Gilchrist.

“If, fingers crossed, I can make it happen, it’ll be an incredibly proud day for me and my family. I remember my first season like it was yesterday, getting to play alongside legends of the club I grew up supporting – Chunk, Mossy, Fordy, Mike Blair. Time flies!”

Gilchrist recently represented Scotland at his third Rugby World Cup this past summer in France. He played in three group stage matches at the global showpiece against South Africa, Romania and Ireland.

He has impressed for Edinburgh since returning from the World Cup and shone in their victories over the Lions, Connacht, the Bulls and Castres.

“This season has been really good. Sean has been clear right from the start in what he wants both collectively as a team and individually from me,” said Gilchrist.

“I think we’ve been getting better as the season goes on, and I believe we’ve got so much more in us too, which is an exciting place to be and to see how far we can go this year.”

Second Scotland player to recommit to Edinburgh

Gilchrist is the second Scotland international to recommit to Edinburgh in recent days – after Sam Skinner also signed a new deal on Tuesday – and head coach Sean Everitt praised his impact and leadership.

“Simply put, Grant [Gilchrist] loves playing for Edinburgh and that’s been hugely apparent since I joined the club in the summer,” said Everitt. “He’s a true one-club man that takes a huge amount of pride in representing this team and putting his body on the line for his teammates.

“When Grant speaks, players sit up and listen because of his experience and knowledge of the game. What people perhaps don’t see is the amount of work he puts in away from the training paddock, his analysis and study of both his own game and opponents is second to none.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Grant so far in my time at the club – I’m delighted to see him agree terms on a new deal.”

READ MORE: Scotland star ditches the Premiership for Top 14 switch – report