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Scotland lock Sam Skinner pens new Edinburgh deal

(Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Sam Skinner has signed a new two-year deal with Edinburgh a year after arriving at the Scottish capital from boyhood club Exeter Chiefs.

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The Scotland lock made the move to Edinburgh in 2022 and has committed until 2026, which would take him to the age of 31.

The 111kg forward has not played any rugby since Scotland’s World Cup campaign in France, but is nearing a return from a knee injury he picked up before the start of the United Rugby Championship season.

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He will rejoin an Edinburgh outfit that have made a strong start to the season, sitting in fifth place in the URC.

“Moving to Edinburgh has definitely been a new challenge and one I’ve absolutely loved,” the 30-cap international said. “It’s such a great club to play for with an awesome fan base that get right behind the team.

“It’s so exciting to be given the opportunity to sign for another two years. It was such an easy decision for me to continue working with amazing group of people that all work so hard.

“There’s no hiding that last season didn’t provide the success we believe we can deliver as a team. So, to have the chance to help put this club where I believe it can be is a privilege.”

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Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: “Sam [Skinner] is a quality player with a huge amount of experience at international level. It’s brilliant we’ve secured his services for another two years and we’re excited to see him in back in action for the club very soon.

“He is a really intelligent player and someone that other players listen to because of the work he puts in on and off the field.

“It will be a massive boost to have him back and I’m sure our supporters will be eager to see him fit and representing the club.”

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Clive 320 days ago

Skins’ career peaked with the Prem/Heiny double with his local club, all he has got to look forward to now is disappointment with both club and country, a shame as he is a great lad and an excellent player.

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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