Scottish clubs agree ‘national interest’ deal for British and Irish Lion
Scotland's Ali Price during the team run at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh have agreed on a season-long loan deal for Scotland and Lions scrum-half Ali Price.
The 30-year-old half-back will spend the season at Edinburgh in a move described as being “in the national interest” after slipping down the pecking order at Glasgow.
Price faced stiff competition at Glasgow in the form of George Horne and Jamie Dobie and, as a result, lost his place as Scotland’s starting number nine at the start of the year.
Price loaned to Edinburgh
He did force his way back into the starting role for the last two matches of the World Cup but will now leave the club he has represented since 2014 to head to the Scottish capital.
“Glasgow Warriors have released Ali Price on loan to Edinburgh Rugby with immediate effect, for the remainder of the season after an approach was made by the Scotland National Team and Edinburgh Rugby,” a Glasgow Warriors statement said on Thursday.
“Price felt this was an opportunity that would be beneficial for his own personal development.
“The club has agreed, considering this factor, the move being in the national interest, and the timing of the proposal meaning Price can move straight into Edinburgh following his post-Rugby World Cup break and the subsequent return to play protocols he has been managing for a groin injury.”
The 66-cap Scotland scrum-half will link up with the Edinburgh squad next week and could make his debut for the side in the URC clash with the Bulls that Friday.
“I’m looking forward to finding my feet amongst a new group of players and seeing how I can work alongside the Scotland boys I’ve been in camp with before,” Price told Edinburgh’s official website.
“This is a new challenge that I look forward to seeing where it can lead.”
Price’s arrival is a timely one for Edinburgh, too, following the injury to Scott Steele, and he will now provide competition for the club captain Ben Vellacott.
“Ali is a Test Lion and brings to the club a wealth of experience at the very top level of international rugby,” said Edinburgh senior coach Sean Everitt.
“We’re blessed to have a really strong group of nines at the club, who all have unique strengths and abilities.
“Scott unfortunately continues to work his way back from a hip injury that has kept him sidelined since October, which was also a factor in this move.
“Ali is a player with great vision and understanding of the game, and those qualities will only rub off on our scrum-halves. His arrival also breeds competition for places.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the club where he’ll get the opportunity to compete for a place from the get-go.”
