Edinburgh name 'two of the most committed players' as co-captains

Scotland pair Grant Gilchrist and Jamie Ritchie have been named as the Edinburgh co-captains for the upcoming season. The long-serving forward duo will share the role for the new campaign, which gets underway this weekend when the Scottish capital club hosts Dragons at DAM Health Stadium on Saturday.

Both players have been at Edinburgh for their entire senior careers. Back-rower Ritchie, 26, is named co-captain for the first time and joins Gilchrist, 32, in a joint leadership role, with the experienced lock and club centurion appointed co-captain for the third consecutive season and fourth overall.

“I’m really proud to have been named co-captain alongside Jamie this year,” said Gilchrist. “It’s hard for me to put into words what Edinburgh Rugby means to me. It’s been such a big part of my life. Living in Edinburgh with my family, we have such a connection to the people and the city – so to be named as co-captain is such an honour.

“I look at the list of captains who have come before me in both the amateur and pro eras and there are so many guys there that I look up to.”

Ritchie has been one of the club’s most consistent performers since signing a senior deal straight out of high school aged just 17. “I’m extremely proud to be named as co-captain. Edinburgh Rugby is a club that means so much to me – it has been a massive part of my entire adult life,” said Ritchie.

“I’m hugely excited to be working with Grant. We have a great relationship. We share lifts into training in the morning and he has been here for my entire time at the club. His experience will be invaluable for me to learn from. He is a real Edinburgh Rugby legend and I’m massively excited to be named co-captain alongside him.”

Head coach Mike Blair, who captained the club in both 2009 and 2010, added: “We’re delighted to appoint Grant and Jamie as our 22/23 co-captains. They both epitomise what it means to play for Edinburgh Rugby.

“They are two of the most consistent and committed players we have at the club, while they command respect across the dressing room because of the way they lead by example. I’d like to also mention Stuart McInally alongside our co-captains. Although he doesn’t have an official captaincy title this season, he will continue to play a significant role in our leadership group.”