Edinburgh have agreed terms to keep three more players into next season and beyond with resurgent centre Mark Bennett the headliner of the trio.
Bennett – still only 26 – has agreed terms to extend the deal that brought him from Glasgow to Edinburgh two years ago, while up and coming forwards Lewis Carmichael and Luke Crosbie have also signed new deals.
For Bennett and Carmichael, it’s a vote of confidence for their form this season since returning from long-term injuries, Bennett missed nearly a year with a knee injury while Carmichael (24) sat out the entire campaign last season having impressed in his first year enough to win Scotland honours.
Crosbie (22) has been a project for Richard Cockerill since the head coach joined the club, plucked him out of club rugby and gave him a number of starts. Crosbie was probably Edinburgh’s outstanding forward in the spell before the World Cup players returned to domestic duty.
Bennett has scored five tries in ten appearances this season in a return to form after two major injuries. Although he missed this year’s tournament, the centre was a first choice for Scotland in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, scoring three tries in that tournament. He has 22 caps to date, scoring six tries.
His Edinburgh spell has been marred by injury, first a knee ligament tear before he’d even played for the club. After returning from that, he tore a hamstring last year which limited his appearances.
However after a full pre-season, the Olympic medallist from the GB 7s team that won silver in Rio has shown all his old form during this campaign.
“The club is going in the right direction and it’s something that I’ve really bought into during my spell at Edinburgh,” said Bennett.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here in the city and it’s been brilliant being able to find my feet in the backline this season. I’m looking forward to pulling on the jersey and representing this club in the years to come.”
Carmichael played and scored in his only cap thus far, against Canada on the 2018 Scotland tour to the Americas. Selection was due reward for an outstanding season in 2017-18, but he ruptured his ACL in training and was forced to sit out all of last season.
The lock who can play a bit of back row if needed has been excellent since he returned to duty this season.
Crosbie, a product of Livingston RFC, won Under-20 honours for Scotland while still with the West Lothian club but after a spell in the Scottish Rugby Academy was called up by Cockerill.
He has four tries in 33 appearances so far, all in the back row and most recently as open-side when Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson were with Scotland in Japan.
Head Coach Richard Cockerill said: “Mark is a proven internationalist who has performed really well to start this season.
“He’s quick and decisive and looks to be back to his best. We’re really happy that he’s re-signed with the club and he’ll be an important player for us in the seasons to come.
“Lewis had a tough time with injuries last year, but he has come back stronger. We’ve been really happy with his development so far this season.
“Luke is a hard-working young player who we’ve seen continual improvement from during my time at Edinburgh.
“He and Lewis are part of a core of young Scottish players who are integral to this club and they’ll be very important players for us in the years to come.”
