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Edinburgh Rugby

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Edinburgh
Full nameEdinburgh Rugby
Founded1872; 152 years ago (1872)
LocationEdinburgh, Scotland
Ground(s)Hive Stadium
(Capacity 7,800)
CEODouglas Struth[1]
Coach(es)Sean Everitt
Captain(s)Grant Gilchrist
Ben Vellacott
Most appearancesAllan Jacobsen (286)
Top scorerChris Paterson (783)
Most triesTim Visser (60)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2023–24League: 10th
Playoffs: DNQ
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
edinburghrugby.org

Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners) is one of the two professional rugby union teams from Scotland. The club competes in the United Rugby Championship, along with the Glasgow Warriors, its oldest rival. Edinburgh plays the majority of its home games at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium.

The original Edinburgh District team played the first ever inter-district match against Glasgow District in 1872, winning the match 3–0.

The amateur district team was reformed with professionalism, as Edinburgh Rugby, in 1996 to compete in the Heineken Cup, its best performance coming in the 2011–12 season, when the club reached the semi-final but lost out narrowly to Ulster, 22–19. The quarter-final tie against Toulouse attracted a club record crowd of over 38,000 spectators to Murrayfield. In 2003–04 Edinburgh became the first Scottish team to reach the quarter-finals.[2][3][4]

In the 2014–15 season, Edinburgh became the first Scottish club to reach a major European final, when they met Gloucester Rugby in the European Rugby Challenge Cup showpiece at Twickenham Stoop in London.

History

[edit]

Edinburgh District played in the world's first ever inter-district match, against Glasgow District, in 1872.[5]

Main article: Scottish District rugby structure

For the history of the District prior to professionalism, see:

Main article: Edinburgh District (rugby union)

Professional era establishment: 1996

[edit]

Following the introduction of professional rugby in 1995, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) considered that Scottish club sides would not be able to compete against the best teams from France and England. The SRU therefore decided that the four district teams were to be Scotland's vehicle for professional rugby and in 1996 the Edinburgh District team was reformed as Edinburgh Rugby to compete in the Heineken Cup. Because of the SRU's significant debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield Stadium, further reorganisation soon became necessary and the four professional sides were reduced to two. After two seasons as Edinburgh Rugby, the club was subsequently merged with Border Reivers to form a new team known as Edinburgh Reivers.

For the 1999 and 2000 seasons the Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union joined forces, with the expansion of the Welsh Premier Division to include Edinburgh Reivers and Glasgow Caledonians, under the name Welsh-Scottish League. However, further change was imminent and in 2001 an agreement was made between the Irish Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union to create a new competition which would bring in the four Irish provinces. 2001 saw the first incarnation of the Celtic League. In that inaugural season Edinburgh finished in sixth place.

The following season, to coincide with the re-establishment of the Border Reivers, a Scottish League competition modelled on the Tri-Nations was introduced alongside the Celtic League, however this survived for only a single season, Edinburgh becoming the only champions.

Following the reduction of Scotland's professional structure from four to two sides, a further rebranding took place. The Edinburgh Reivers name was replaced by Edinburgh Rugby, with the Glasgow Caledonians undergoing a similar renaming process, as part of a "major revamp"[6] of the professional structure in Scotland.

In the 2003–04 season the team found some success, when it reached the Final of the inaugural Celtic Cup, beating Cardiff Blues and Connacht en route in the quarter-finals[7] and semi-finals[8] respectively. The team's good run came to an end in the Final, however, with a 21–27 loss to Ulster, at Murrayfield. David Humphreys kicked 17 points in the match to earn the Irish province the trophy[9]

For the 2005–06 season, the Edinburgh team found itself looking for a new coach after the departure of Frank Hadden to coach Scotland.[10] Sean Lineen, then Glasgow Warriors assistant coach, was linked with the post[11] before Todd Blackadder acquired the position for the season[12] after a spell as interim coach.[13] During the same season the team nickname was incorporated into the official name, which became the Edinburgh Gunners. The "Gunners" moniker was dropped on 29 September 2006, after the club had become Scottish rugby's first private franchise during the summer. The team name reverted to Edinburgh Rugby. One reason for the change was that the name The Gunners was already a registered Trademark of Arsenal Football Club.[5] Another reason was the wish of the new owners for a re-branding, including a different name and the introduction of a new logo.

Private ownership: 2006–07

[edit]

Scotland's first private franchise: 2006

[edit]
Logo for the 2006–07 Celtic League season

In 2006, it was announced that from the end of the 2005–06 season, Edinburgh would become a franchise. Finance would come from a private company headed by businessmen Alex and Bob Carruthers.[14] This was thought to be a saving grace for Border Reivers. The team was thought to be the favourite to be folded, after the Scottish Rugby Union warned that funding problems could force it to scrap one of its Celtic League sides.[15] The SRU was to retain a seat on the new company board and continue to provide development funding and support to the new owners.[14] Following the departure of Todd Blackadder to join the Crusaders coaching setup in Super Rugby, Lynn Howells was appointed as head coach by Edinburgh's new executive chairman, Alex Carruthers.[16]

Funding dispute and return to SRU: 2007

[edit]

In July 2007, a dispute arose between the Scottish Rugby Union and the owners of the newly franchised Edinburgh team. According to owner Bob Carruthers the SRU owed Edinburgh a six-figure sum which, he said, had not been paid. Carruthers also claimed that SRU had threatened to withdraw funding should Edinburgh continue with legal action relating to the sum.[17] During the dispute, Alex Carruthers resigned along with then managing director Graeme Stirling.[18] The dispute caused much disruption in Scottish rugby at the time, leading to the temporary withdrawal of 12 players from the Scotland squad training for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This included leading players such as Chris Paterson and Mike Blair[18]

The dispute escalated when, on 9 July 2007, Edinburgh revoked its associate membership of the SRU.[19] This led to doubts about Edinburgh Rugby's ability to fulfil fixtures in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup and, whether or not Edinburgh players were insured for playing at club level. The resignation was withdrawn on 12 July, with Bob Carruthers being quoted as asking to "talk directly to someone" and insisting that the proposed signing of Australia stand-off Stephen Larkham would go ahead.[20] Despite this, the dispute continued, with each party initiating legal action against the other.[21][22] The situation was resolved in August 2007, with the termination of the franchise agreement and the return of Edinburgh to the direct control of the SRU.[23]

Under Andy Robinson: 2007–2009

[edit]
Edinburgh playing against Munster at Murrayfield Stadium in the 2007–08 Celtic League

Following the return to SRU control, the club coach Lynn Howells was dismissed. The SRU's Head of Player Development was appointed interim coach and Nic Cartwright was appointed as chief executive.[23] Former British & Irish Lions captain Gavin Hastings was subsequently appointed as chairman,[24] stating his "desire and passion to see this game and this club grow". The proposed signing of Stephen Larkham fell through after the SRU was unable to honour the terms of the agreement.[25] This was seen as a disappointment, because the signing had been considered a coup for the beleaguered SRU when it was initially announced.[26]

Following an application process,[27] it was announced on 1 October 2007 that Andy Robinson, the former England head coach, would become the club's new head coach.[28] Edinburgh showed progress under Robinson and performed well at home in the Heineken Cup, posting wins against Leinster[29] and Leicester Tigers[30] and a narrow loss to Toulouse, earning a bonus point.[31] Following disappointing performances by Scotland in the 6 Nations, and Robinson co-coaching Scotland A,[32] there were rumours of Robinson taking a post within the Scotland set-up after helping Edinburgh to climb to 3rd in the Celtic League.[33][34] This progress, however, was counter-pointed by some disappointing results including being shut out by Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield[35] and losing the 1872 Challenge Cup on aggregate to rivals Glasgow Warriors.[36]

On 26 December 2008, a new home record attendance of 12,534 saw the game against Glasgow Warriors.[37] In the 2008–09 season Edinburgh reached their highest position finishing in second place behind Munster.

Andy Robinson left in 2009 to take up the position of head coach of the Scottish national side. Rob Moffat took over at Edinburgh. Michael Bradley was the new manager from 2011 to 2012.

Under Michael Bradley: 2011–2013

[edit]

Michael Bradley took over in May 2011 on a two-year contract.[38]

The 2011–12 season saw the introduction of several young players into the squad including début seasons for 21-year-olds Matt Scott and Grant Gilchrist, 19-year-old Harry Leonard and first full seasons for back three players Tom Brown and Lee Jones plus the back row pair Stuart McInally and David Denton. Most of these players would become regular starters for the club and Jones, Brown, Scott, Gilchrist, McInally and Denton were destined for international honours. Domestically the season was not a success, with only 6 league wins out of 22 games, but the 2011–12 Heineken Cup campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history when it topped Pool 2, including a remarkable home victory against Racing Métro by 48–47[39] and setting up a quarter final against French rugby giants Toulouse by scoring four tries against London Irish. The game against Toulouse in April 2012, was played before a new club record crowd of 38,887 and was closely contested, with Edinburgh holding out for a 19–14 win thanks to an early try from Mike Blair and penalties from captain Greig Laidlaw, setting up a semi-final in Dublin against Ulster. The semi-final was a close match but Ulster triumphed 22–19.

The 2012–13 season started with much expectation after the strengthening of the squad through the additions of W. P. Nel, John Yapp, Richie Rees, Dimitri Basilaia, Ben Atiga, Greig Tonks, Izak van der Westhuizen, and Andy Titterrell. These arrivals were however tempered by the loss of several experienced internationals, Mike Blair, Chris Paterson, Jim Thompson, Alan MacDonald, Esteban Lozada and Phil Godman among them. However, after another poor start to the Pro12 League, Edinburgh were then beaten 0–45 by Saracens at Murrayfield in the first round of Heineken Cup matches. This was followed by another high-scoring defeat when the team lost 33–0 to Munster Rugby at Thomond Park.

Following increasingly disappointing results and performances in the Pro12 league it was announced in February 2013 that Edinburgh would not be renewing Bradley's contract at the end of the season along with defence coach Billy McGinty. McGinty chose to leave his position with immediate effect with Bradley overseeing the defence until the end of the season. However, in a surprise move just a month later on 6 March 2013 Edinburgh announced that both Bradley and forwards coach Neil Back were being removed with immediate effect and coaches Stevie Scott and Duncan Hodge would take over until the end of the season.

In his final year to early March 2013 the Club lost all six matches in the Heineken Cup and recorded four league victories all season in the Pro12 against Cardiff, Zebre, Connacht and the Ospreys. Edinburgh Rugby accumulated seven losing bonus points in this period highlighting the need for minor adjustments to change the sides fortunes on the pitch.

In the remaining five matches on the season Edinburgh won three, recording victories against Ulster, Zebre and Gwent Dragons to finish the season in 10th place in the Pro12 one place higher than the 2011–12 season.

Under Alan Solomons: 2013–2016

[edit]

Alan Solomons, formerly the coach of Western Province, Stormers, Ulster and more recently Super Rugby team the Kings, was appointed as head coach at the end of July 2013.[40] Stevie Scott and Omar Mouneimne were appointed as assistant coaches.

Solomons' first season at the club was treated largely as a rebuilding period, with several players departing and replacements coming in. The league campaign culminated in an eighth-place finish.[41]

2014–15 saw Edinburgh again finishing eighth, albeit with ten points and three victories more than the previous season. While the pre-season target of a top six finish wasn't achieved, there were other reasons to consider the campaign a success. The first came over the festive period when the team beat Glasgow Warriors over two legs to win the inter-city 1872 Cup for the first time in six seasons. After going down 16–6 in the first encounter at Scotstoun Stadium, the Murrayfield men turned the tables with a 20–8 victory in the return leg, with Tim Visser notching two first-half tries, to bring the trophy back to the capital for the first time since 2009. As the season reached its final stages, Edinburgh's excellent European form took them to within touching distance of more silverware.

Solomons left the club in September 2016 following a poor start to the season. Assistant coach Duncan Hodge was placed in temporary charge, and ultimately held the reins for the remainder of the campaign.[42]

European Rugby Challenge Cup 2014–15

[edit]

By finishing top of their European Rugby Challenge Cup group (containing the French Top 14 pair Lyon and Bordeaux as well as English Premiership team London Welsh) they progressed to the knockout stage, where they were seeded fifth. They went on to beat fourth seed London Irish 18–23 in the quarter finals at the Madejski Stadium. In the semi-finals they thrashed the Newport Gwent Dragons an impressive 45–16 in front of a home crowd of over 8,000 at Murrayfield, making them the first Scottish team to ever reach a European final. They faced Gloucester in the final at the Twickenham Stoop on 2 May, losing 19–13.[43]

Under Richard Cockerill: 2017–2021

[edit]

In February 2017, the club announced the appointment of former Leicester Tigers and Toulon Head Coach Richard Cockerill for the following season.[44] Cockerill led the team to the play-offs of the 2017–18 Pro14 season, the first time the club have qualified for the end-of-season series since its introduction. Their season ended following a tight away defeat to Munster.[45]

During his tenure, several Edinburgh players have made their international debuts for Scotland, including props Simon Berghan, Darryl Marfo and Murray McCallum, lock Lewis Carmichael, wing Darcy Graham, full-back Blair Kinghorn, hooker Dave Cherry, flankers Luke Hamilton and Jamie Ritchie, and former Edinburgh players Phil Burleigh, Cornell du Preez and George Turner, flanker Luke Crosbie, centres Chris Dean and James Johnstone, and scrum-halves Nathan Fowles, Sean Kennedy and Charlie Shiel were named in Scotland squads.

In addition, wing Duhan van der Merwe, prop Rory Sutherland, and flanker Hamish Watson have all toured with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa, with each one becoming a Test Lion in the first test match of the series, a 17–22 win for the Lions against the Springboks. However, in July 2021, Cockerill left Edinburgh by mutual consent. Former Scotland captain and Lions scrum-half Mike Blair has been appointed as the head coach for the 2021–22 season, Edinburgh's first in the new United Rugby Championship.

Under Mike Blair: 2021–2023

[edit]

Following a frustrating season, Edinburgh announced the immediate departure of head coach Richard Cockerill by "mutual consent" in July 2021 with Mike Blair (who was at the time part of the Scotland International set up) announced as the new head coach later that month. Blair's appointment coincided with new signings including Scotland international James Lang, South African Henry Immelman and Argentine utility back Emiliano Boffelli. Blair's appointment also saw the departure of longtime attack coach Duncan Hodge.

Blair's first game in charge was a 10-26 pre-season friendly loss to Newcastle Falcons; their first game in the new Edinburgh Rugby Stadium (since renamed the DAM Health Stadium for sponsorship reasons). Edinburgh made a good start to their first United Rugby Championship campaign and also the European Challenge Cup, where they beat Saracens 18–21 away in the first round.

In February 2023, Blair announced he would step down as head coach at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season[46]

Under Sean Everitt: 2023–

[edit]

Sean Everitt was recruited in July 2023 as a 'Senior Coach' to replace Blair for the 2023/24 season.[47]

Everitt signed a 2-year extension at the beginning of 2024 to remain at the club until June 2026 becoming Head Coach in the process.[48]

Stadia

[edit]

Edinburgh Rugby have played at a number of grounds over the years including Meadowbank Stadium, Meggetland Sports Complex and most recently Myreside. It was recognised over the years by fans and players alike that Edinburgh have lacked a true Home Ground with BT Murrayfield often criticised for providing a poor atmosphere due to being largely empty for most games.

On 31 May 2018, Edinburgh Rugby announced a new proposed 7,800-seater Edinburgh Rugby Stadium to be built on the training pitches at Murrayfield. The stadium cost Scottish Rugby an estimated £5 million.[49] The stadium was completed on 16 February 2021.[50]

Women's team

[edit]
Main article: Edinburgh Rugby Women

In December 2023, Edinburgh launched a women's team to compete in the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border competition that is designed to develop players for the Celtic nations, starting in the 2023–24 season.[51][52][53]

Current standings

[edit]
2024–25 United Rugby Championship
 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Ireland Leinster 7 7 0 0 212 92 +120 32 12 6 0 34
2 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 7 5 0 2 215 129 +86 32 16 5 2 27
3 South Africa Bulls 5 4 0 1 137 94 +43 19 10 2 1 19
4 South Africa Lions 5 4 0 1 129 95 +34 16 13 2 0 18
5 Ireland Connacht 6 3 0 3 163 160 +3 24 21 4 2 18
6 Wales Scarlets 7 3 1 3 151 134 +17 18 19 1 2 17
7 Ireland Ulster 7 3 0 4 170 188 –18 26 28 3 2 17
8 Wales Cardiff 6 3 0 3 130 155 –25 20 22 3 1 16
9 South Africa Sharks 5 3 0 2 142 152 –10 17 22 2 1 15
10 Scotland Edinburgh 6 2 0 4 146 147 –1 19 21 3 2 13
11 Italy Benetton 6 2 1 3 119 145 –26 14 19 2 1 13
12 Ireland Munster 6 2 0 4 146 176 –30 23 24 4 0 12
13 South Africa Stormers 5 2 0 3 118 127 -9 13 17 2 0 10
14 Wales Ospreys 6 2 0 4 111 148 –37 14 19 1 1 10
15 Wales Dragons 6 1 0 5 106 173 –67 13 24 1 2 7
16 Italy Zebre Parma 6 1 0 5 84 164 –80 10 23 1 2 7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[54]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup

Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

Honours

[edit]
  1. ^ Formerly known as European Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Formerly known as Celtic League/Magners League, Pro12 and Pro14

Coaching staff

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers § Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Rugby United Rugby Championship squad[a]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(cc) denotes the team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
L denotes a player on loan at the club.
Players and their allocated positions from the Edinburgh Rugby website.[58]
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Academy players

[edit]
Edinburgh Rugby Academy squad[a]

Props

  • Scotland Mikey Jones
  • Scotland Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
  • Scotland Jamie Stewart


Hookers

Locks

  • Scotland Christian Lindsay
  • Scotland Euan McVie
  • Scotland Mak Rutherford

Back row

Scrum-halves

  • Scotland Connor McAlpine
  • Scotland Hamish McArthur
  • Scotland Hector Patterson

Fly-halves

  • England Isaac Coates
  • Scotland Ross Wolfenden

Centres

  • Scotland Jack Hocking
  • Scotland Sam Leweni
  • Scotland Findlay Thomson

Wings

  • Scotland Nairn Moncrieff
  • Scotland Lewis Wells

Fullbacks

  • Scotland Jack Brown
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
ST denotes a short-term signing.
Players and their allocated positions from the Edinburgh Rugby website.[59][60]
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Former players and present and past coaches

[edit]

While still an amateur side, Edinburgh District capped the Royal HSFP forward James Robertson in the 1870s. Robertson was the first black person to play rugby union.[61]

Notable former players

[edit]

Former players who have played for Edinburgh and have more than 20 caps for their respective country.

Coaches

[edit]

Statistics

[edit]

Heineken Cup / Rugby Champions Cup

[edit]
Main article: European Rugby Champions Cup
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
1996–97 Pools 4 0 4 0 [62]
1998–99 Pools 6 2 3 1 [63]
1999–00 Pools 6 3 3 0 [64]
2000–01 Pools 6 3 2 1 [65]
2001–02 Pools 6 1 4 1 [66]
2002–03 Pools 6 2 4 0 [67]
2003–04 Pools 7 5 2 0
Playoffs Quarter-finals
Stade Toulousain 36 – 10 Edinburgh[68]
2004–05 Pools 6 1 5 0 [69]
2005–06 Pools 6 2 4 0 [70]
2006–07 Pools 6 1 5 0 [71]
2007–08 Pools 6 2 4 0 [72]
2008–09 Pools 6 2 4 0 [73]
2009–10 Pools 6 3 3 0 [74]
2010–11 Pools 6 1 5 0 [74]
2011–12 Pools 8 6 2 0
Playoffs Semi-finals
Ulster 22 – 19 Edinburgh[74]
2012–13 Pools 6 0 6 0 [74]
2013–14 Pools 6 3 3 0 [74]
2018–19 Pools 6 5 1 0
Playoffs Quarter-finals
Edinburgh 13 – 17 Munster
2020–21 Pools 2 1 1 0
Playoffs Round of 16
Racing 92 56 – 3 Edinburgh
2022–23 Pools 4 3 1 0
Playoffs Round of 16
Leicester Tigers 16 – 6 Edinburgh

European Challenge Cup / Rugby Challenge Cup

[edit]
Main article: European Challenge Cup
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
1997–98 Pools 6 2 4 0 [75]
2014–15 Pools 6 5 1 0
Playoffs Final
Edinburgh 13 – 19 Gloucester Rugby
2015–16 Pools 6 4 2 0
2016–17 Pools 6 5 1 0
Playoffs Quarter-final
Edinburgh 22 – 32 La Rochelle
2017–18 Pools 6 5 1 0
Playoffs Quarter-final
Edinburgh 6 – 20 Cardiff Blues
2019–20 Pools 6 4 1 1
Playoffs Quarter-final
Bordeaux Bègles 23 – 14 Edinburgh
2021–22 Pools 4 3 1 0
Playoffs Quarter-final
Edinburgh 30 – 34 Wasps
2023–24 Pools 4 2 2 0
Playoffs Quarter-final
Edinburgh 30 – 36 Sharks

Celtic League

[edit]
Main article: United Rugby Championship
Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2001–02 Pool B
(7 teams)		 6th 6 2 4 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2002–03 Pool A
(8 teams)		 2nd 7 6 1 0
Playoffs Quarter-finals
Edinburgh 22 – 26 Cardiff Blues
2003–04 League
(12 teams)		 10th 22 9 13 0
2004–05 League
(11 teams)		 7th 20 9 11 0
2005–06 League
(11 teams)		 5th 20 11 9 0
2006–07 League
(11 teams)		 8th 20 8 11 1
2007–08 League
(10 teams)		 4th 18 9 6 3
2008–09 League
(10 teams)		 2nd 18 11 7 0
2009–10 League
(10 teams)		 6th 18 8 10 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2010–11 League
(12 teams)		 8th 22 8 13 0
Playoffs Did not qualify

Pro12

[edit]
Main article: United Rugby Championship
Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2011–12 League
(12 teams)		 11th 22 6 15 1
Playoffs Did not qualify
2012–13 League
(12 teams)		 10th 22 7 15 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2013–14 League
(12 teams)		 8th 22 7 15 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2014–15< League
(12 teams)		 8th 22 10 11 1
Playoffs Did not qualify
2015–16 League
(12 teams)		 9th 22 11 11 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2016–17 League
(12 teams)		 9th 22 6 16 0
Playoffs Did not qualify

Pro14

[edit]
Main article: United Rugby Championship
Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2017–18 Conference B
(7 teams)		 3rd 21 15 6 0
Playoffs Quarter-finals
Munster 20 – 16 Edinburgh
2018–19 Conference B
(7 teams)		 5th 21 10 11 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2019–20 Conference B
(7 teams)		 1st 15 11 4 0
Playoffs Semi-finals
Edinburgh 19 – 22 Ulster
2020–21 Conference B
(7 teams)		 5th 16 5 10 1
Playoffs No playoffs (COVID-19)

Pro14 Rainbow Cup

[edit]
Main article: United Rugby Championship
Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2021 League
(12 teams)		 9th 5 1 3 1
Playoffs No playoffs

United Rugby Championship

[edit]
Main article: United Rugby Championship
Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2021–22 League
(16 teams)		 7th 18 10 7 1
Playoffs Quarter finals
Stormers 28 – 17 Edinburgh
2022–23 League
(16 teams)		 12th 18 6 12 0
Playoffs Did not qualify
2023–24 League
(16 teams)		 10th 18 11 7 0
Playoffs Did not qualify

Scottish League

[edit]
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
2002–03 1st 8 5 2 1

Welsh/Scottish League

[edit]
Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
1999–00 8th 22 10 11 1
2000–01 8th 22 11 11 0
2001–02 6th 20 10 8 2

Edinburgh and District

[edit]

The Tennents Premiership is the premier club competition over the Edinburgh region. The district includes clubs from the council areas: City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian.

Currently four district clubs compete at the top level of amateur rugby in Scotland.

National leagues

[edit]

BT National League is an amateur league competition for rugby union clubs in Scotland. It forms the second tier of the Scottish League Championship.

East leagues

[edit]

The East leagues cover the Edinburgh & District and the Scottish Borders area. They play at a level below that of the National Leagues structure. Winners of the league may progress to the National League.

The clubs

[edit]

Edinburgh and District consists of 32 clubs.

City of Edinburgh

[edit]

There are 20 clubs in the City of Edinburgh council area.

East Lothian

[edit]

There are 6 clubs in East Lothian.

West Lothian

[edit]

There are 2 clubs in West Lothian.

Midlothian

[edit]

There are 3 clubs in Midlothian.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Douglas Struth named new Edinburgh Rugby managing director, replacing Jonny Petrie". The Scotsman. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Heineken Champions Cup". European Professional Club Rugby.
  3. ^ "Edinburgh 33–15 Ospreys". BBC News. 23 January 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Edinburgh aim for European repeat". BBC News. 17 October 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Edinburgh drop Gunners from title". BBC News. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Scots drop 'Reivers' and 'Caledonians'". BBC News. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Edinburgh blast Blues aside". BBC News. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Edinburgh prove too good". BBC News. 15 November 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Ulster hold on for victory". BBC News. 20 December 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  10. ^ "Scotland appoint Hadden as coach". BBC News. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Lineen flattered by capital link". BBC News. 21 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  12. ^ "Blackadder to leave in the summer". BBC News. 30 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Hogg gets Gloucester coaching job". BBC News. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Edinburgh to become a franchise". BBC News. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  15. ^ "No SRU axe as yet for the Borders". BBC News. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  16. ^ "Edinburgh name Howells new coach". BBC News. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  17. ^ "Edinburgh face SRU closure threat". BBC News. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Edinburgh chairman resigns in row". BBC News. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  19. ^ "Edinburgh resign from Scots Union". BBC News. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  20. ^ "Edinburgh rejoin Scottish Union". BBC News. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  21. ^ "SRU seeks legal advice on funding". BBC News. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  22. ^ "Edinburgh dispute heads for court". BBC News. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  23. ^ a b "Edinburgh back in union control". BBC News. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  24. ^ "Hastings takes post at Edinburgh". BBC News. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  25. ^ "Larkham's Edinburgh deal scrapped". BBC News. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  26. ^ "Edinburgh clinch Larkham signing". BBC News. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  27. ^ "Coach applications delight SRU". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  28. ^ "Robinson named coach of Edinburgh". BBC News. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  29. ^ "Edinburgh 29–10 Leinster". BBC News. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  30. ^ "Edinburgh 17–12 Leicester". BBC News. 12 January 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  31. ^ "Edinburgh 15–19 Toulouse". BBC News. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  32. ^ "Club coaches to lead Scotland A". BBC News. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  33. ^ "Robinson content with Edinburgh". BBC News. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
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