King signs up for more as McKenzie departs Edinburgh

Posted on Apr 5, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Four days after scoring his first Edinburgh try, James King today signed a two-year contract extension with the club and vowed to build on a promising debut campaign in the capital.

The centre, who stepped back up to the professional game last summer after impressing with Melrose in the Premiership, has endeared himself to the Edinburgh support through a series of hard-running, intelligent midfield displays which culminated in that breakthrough score against Connacht last Friday night.

King, 25, has now committed himself to the club until at least the end of May 2013, pledging to maintain the good habits that have propelled his rapid rise.

The Berwick-raised player confirmed: “I was thrilled when Edinburgh gave me the chance to get back into pro-rugby last summer, and I undertook to work as hard as I possibly could to make the most of that opportunity.

“I missed a couple of months of the season with a thigh injury, but the coaches here have always said that if you keep putting your hand up in training, you’ll get your rewards in selection, and I’d like to think that when I have been in the team, I’ve shown I’ve got something to offer.

“It’s great to have my future sorted out, and it’s now about kicking on again and making sure myself and the team keep getting better. It’s been great training and playing alongside guys like Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca and John Houston, and I’m sure the competition that there is in that area of the team will stand us all in good stead moving forward.”

Interim head coach Nick Scrivener enthused: “James is a great example of a player who has got his head down, made real improvements to his game, and has been rewarded in recent times in terms of both selection and performance.

“He’s a talented guys who’s prepared to listen to advice, and if he continues to show the same traits over the next couple of years, he’ll be a big part of this club’s future.”

King becomes the fifth player to sign a contract extension in recent weeks. British and Irish Lion Ross Ford, reigning Magners League Young Player of the Season and the competition’s current top try-scorer, Tim Visser, and young guns Lee Jones and Tom Brown have all pledged their futures to the club.

It was, however, today confirmed that Fraser McKenzie is to leave come the end of the season. The back-five forward has chosen not to take up Edinburgh’s offer of a contract extension, and as such is to bring to an end a three-year association with the club.

JAMES KING

Position: Centre
Weight: 13st 8lb
Height: 5ft 10in
D.O.B.: 31.03.86

James King embarked upon his second stint as a professional player in Scotland when he joined Edinburgh in summer 2010. King impressed against both Northampton Saints and Ulster that October, but, partly because of injury, had to wait until the away Magners League game against Munster in February 2011 for his next start in the black and red.

King, who spends much of his spare time playing golf, has had spells with both Border Reivers and L’Aquila, the outfit from central Italy. He has also represented Scotland at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level and was educated at Berwick High School.

Change forced on Edinburgh

Posted on Apr 1, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Edinburgh have been forced to make a change to their team for tonight’s Magners League game against Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway (kick-off 7.45pm).

Ben Cairns has failed to recover sufficiently from a blow to the knee sustained in the 23-16 win over Ospreys last Saturday, and will be replaced at outside centre by Nick De Luca. Tom Brown, who recently signed a new two-year contract with the club, comes onto the bench.

Tonight’s match is to be screened live by BBC ALBA, with John Houston the studio guest.

EDINBURGH TEAM TO PLAY CONNACHT IN THE MAGNERS LEAGUE AT THE SPORTSGROUND, GALWAY ON FRIDAY 1 APRIL 2011 (KICK-OFF 7.45PM)

15 Jim Thompson

14 Simon Webster
13 Nick De Luca
12 James King
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw
9 Mike Blair

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Andrew Kelly (CAPTAIN)
3 Geoff Cross
4 Scott MacLeod
5 Esteban Lozada
6 Fraser McKenzie
8 David Denton
7 Scott Newlands

SUBSTITUTES

16 Alun Walker
17 Lewis Niven
18 Robin Hislop
19 Steven Turnbull
20 Roddy Grant
21 David Blair
22 Tom Brown
23 Lee Jones

Keith Matthews to earn 100th Cap in Connacht XV to face Edinburgh

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Keith Matthews will celebrate his 100th cap when he lines out for Connacht this Friday against Edingburgh (The Sportsground – ko 19.45 01/04/11)

The 28 year old centre joined Connacht from Munster in 2005 and has been a regular feature in the Connacht squad.

“I was on a development contract down in Munster when Brads (Michael Bradley) phoned me and offered me a spot, I jumped at the chance to play regular Magners League and haven’t looked back since.”

“It’s taken a while to get to this milestone; I’ve had a few injuries along the way. Amongst other injuries I damaged my crutiate ligament against Munster in ‘07 and was out for 9 months so that didn’t help but I’m delighted to reach 100 caps for Connacht, it’s a huge personal achievement.”

Keith made his debut in Connacht’s 13 – 9 victory over the Cardiff Blues in September ‘05 alongside John Muldoon, Current Assistant Coach Dan McFarland and Video Analyst Conor McPhillips. He has scored 14 tries for the Province and set up dozens more with his hard running and ferocious tackling.

“I’ve been involved in some great games over the years, beating Munster here at The Sportsground 2 years ago, beating Bourgoin in the quarter final of the Amlin Challenge Cup here last season and captaining the side against Munster on St Stephens Day this year. Hopefully there’ll be many more to come, I’m enjoying my rugby more than ever and playing some of the best rugby of my career so I’ve no intention of giving up just yet!”

Matthews was part of Michael Bradleys 2009 Ireland ‘A’ side which won the Churchill Cup, beating England Saxons in the final. That team also included Connacht’s John Muldoon and Sean Cronin.

Hooker Adrian Flavin could also earn his 100th cap this weekend. The 5’11, 102kg number 2 from Harrow in London joined Connacht in 2006. He will feature from the bench for the match this weekend.

Connacht face Edinburgh this Friday in round 19 of the Magners League. Kick- off is at 7.45 in The Sportsground and the match is being shown live on TG4.

Connacht XV to face Edinburgh:

1 Ronan Loughney
2 Sean Cronin
3 Jamie Hagan
4 Mike McCarthy
5 Bernie Upton
6 Andrew Browne
7 Johnny O’Connor
8 Ray Ofisa
9 Frank Murphy
10 Ian Keatley
11 Fionn Carr
12 Keith Matthews
13 Troy Nathan
14 Brian Tuohy
15 Gavin Dufffy
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Brett Wilkinson
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Mike McComish
20 John Muldoon
21 Mark Dolan
22 Eoin Griffin
23 Shane Monahan

Edinburgh look to do double in Galway

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Edinburgh will seek to build on last Saturday’s fine 23-16 win over Ospreys when they head to Galway on Friday night to take on Connacht in the club’s penultimate away Magners League match of the season.

It was against the side from the Sportsground that the capital outfit completed their last set of back-to-back victories, courtesy of a 24-19 triumph at Murrayfield in November.

Fourteen members of the starting line-up that saw off Ospreys have secured selection again this week. The one change from the Ospreys game sees Geoff Cross, who impressed for Scotland in their last two RBS 6 Nations Championships matches, return at tight-head prop in place of David Young.

Mike Blair, who played his 100th Magners League game last weekend, continues his half-back pairing with Greig Laidlaw.

Ross Ford and Allan Jacobsen, mainstays of the Scotland pack in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, are to be rested from Edinburgh’s final four Magners League fixtures in order that they approach their season 2011/12 commitments with both club and country in the best possible shape.

Edinburgh interim head coach Nick Scrivener said: "Any coach will always want to field his strongest possible team – that’s natural and I’m no different. Player welfare has always been a top priority for Edinburgh, and we recognise and understand the need to balance our players’ commitments in what is a very busy rugby year."

Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby’s head of medical services, said: "Allan has niggling injuries in his shoulder and back which would respond best to a short period of rest; Ross Ford is fatigued and through circumstances beyond Edinburgh’s direct control they were unable to rest him earlier this season. It is best for Ross that he has that break now.

"Everyone involved in this process acknowledges and appreciates the importance of Edinburgh finishing the season in the strongest possible fashion, but we’re also mindful that next year is a hugely significant one for both club and country and as such our priority has to be the long-term interests of these players."

Scrivener today outlined the qualities he feels will be required from his men on the west coast of Ireland come Friday night, saying: “We performed really well as a team against Ospreys last weekend, and it’s going to take exactly the same levels of intensity and precision to get the result we want in Connacht.

“The weather forecast for the next couple of days over there isn’t great, so we’re prepared for a lot of onus falling on our set-piece. Our lineout went very well last time out, and we’ll now be looking for a repeat as well as the same degree of effectiveness from the scrum.

“Having Geoff back in there should help in that regard. His all-round game has been very impressive for a number of months now, and we look forward to him maintaining that consistency.

“Elsewhere, we felt it was right and proper to show faith in the guys who delivered for us last week, and I’m keen to see how partnerships and combinations develop, especially at half-back where Mike [Blair] and Greig [Laidlaw] showed some very encouraging signs.

“The Ospreys game should be the template for our last four matches. It’s about us going out and showing a hunger and absolute determination to win, so that we finish what has been an up-and-down season in really positive fashion.”

EDINBURGH TEAM TO PLAY CONNACHT IN THE MAGNERS LEAGUE AT THE SPORTSGROUND, GALWAY ON FRIDAY 1 APRIL (KICK-OFF 7.45PM, LIVE ON BBC ALBA)

15 Jim Thompson
14 Simon Webster
13 Ben Cairns
12 James King
11 Tim Visser
10 Greig Laidlaw
9 Mike Blair

1 Kyle Traynor
2 Andrew Kelly (CAPTAIN)
3 Geoff Cross
4 Scott MacLeod
5 Esteban Lozada
6 Fraser McKenzie
8 David Denton
7 Scott Newlands

SUBSTITUTES
16 Alun Walker
17 Lewis Niven
18 Robin Hislop
19 Steven Turnbull
20 Roddy Grant
21 David Blair
22 Nick De Luca
23 Lee Jones

Not available due to injury: Alex Blair (back), Chris Bloomfield (ACL), Fraser Brown (neck, in post-surgery rehabilitation), Grant Gilchrist (ankle), Phil Godman (knee), John Houston (knee), Gregor Hunter (groin), Alan MacDonald (shoulder), Stuart McInally (hand), Lewis Niven (calf), Ross Rennie (toe), Mark Robertson (groin), Netani Talei (wrist), David Young (back).

Scrivener to leave Edinburgh

Posted on Mar 29, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Nick Scrivener, who took on the role of Edinburgh interim head coach following Rob Moffat’s departure in January, has decided to return to his homeland at the end of the season for personal reasons.

The Australian today announced that, as a consequence, he has withdrawn as a candidate for the position of head coach.

Scrivener’s departure will bring to an end a two-year association with the capital club, where he initially acted as an assistant coach specialising in defence.

Explaining his decision, Scrivener said: “This has been a massively difficult call to make, because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Edinburgh and feel I’ve progressed as a coach through working with different people and in different competitions.

“I’ve met some great individuals both among the squad and the management team, and I’ve got faith in their ability to take the club forward.

“I’m a rugby man, but first and foremost I’m a family man. My wife and daughters have made huge sacrifices to support me in the last couple of years, and having had the chance to further discuss our future with them, I’ve chosen to withdraw my application and head back to Australia."

“My focus now is on helping Edinburgh follow up Saturday’s great result against the Ospreys by winning our last four Magners League games.”

Craig Docherty, the club’s chief executive, said: “We respect Nick’s decision and his desire to be closer to his young family. The process of identifying and appointing a permanent head coach is ongoing, and we’re working extremely hard to bring in an individual who will ensure the club keeps progressing.”