EDINBURGH have continued their rebuilding programme for next season by agreeing two-year contract extensions with Chris Dean and Ben Muncaster. Both the centre and the back-row forward are from North Berwick, a town that has supplied players for the capital club since its earliest days as a representative district side.
Harry Smith, who represented Edinburgh in the 1890s, is one of the earliest players known to have come from the East Lothian town. Somewhat more recently, Rory Darge, who is now with Glasgow, joined Edinburgh after first impressing as a young player at North Berwick High School.
“We’re delighted to see Chris and Ben re-sign for the club,” head coach Mike Blair said last night. “They’re both hugely driven and talented players. Chris is an experienced head to have at the club, with Ben showing he too has a massive future here. It’s also great to see the connection between Edinburgh Rugby and North Berwick is alive and well.”
The new deal for 29-year-old centre Dean means that he will be going into his 10th season with Edinburgh in the autumn.
“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to continue playing for Edinburgh Rugby,” he said. “I’m not sure where the last nine years have gone, but I feel as energised as ever.
“Extra bonus that I get to do it for the club I’ve grown up supporting.”
Muncaster, still only 21, joined Edinburgh from Leicester Tigers academy in 2020. He has made 26 appearances in an area of the team where the competition is stiffest.
“The back row has real quality in it, so to learn from guys like Bill Mata, Luke Crosbie, Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson while contributing to the team is an exciting opportunity for me,” the Scotland A cap said. “I’m absolutely buzzing to be staying at the club. It’s a really good group of boys, and I’m loving my time here.”
Edinburgh travel to Connacht tomorrow for a game which is vital to their hopes of making the URC play-offs. Blair will announce his squad for the match today.
