Edinburgh and Scotland suffered a blow for next season – still four months away – with the news that John Barclay has been ruled out of action for six months.
The back-rower, captain of Scotland in the last 14 tests, ruptured an Achilles tendon playing for Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14 semi-final at Scotstoun last Friday.
The PRO14 final in Dublin was set to be his final game for the Welsh region before he moves back to Scotland to play for Edinburgh Rugby next season, but the Scarlets have released him early do he can begin rehabilitation with Edinburgh immediately.
The prognosis for recovery does however rule Barclay out of the first half of next season and probably any involvement in the Autumn Test series in November, when Scotland will play Wales, Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.
The player had already been rested for Scotland’s three-match summer tour starying next month, when they meet Canada, the USA and Argentina.
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill said: “It’s naturally disappointing to lose one of our key summer signings through injury but I’m more disappointed for the player as I know how much he was looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season.
“We’re still looking forward to welcoming a man of John’s calibre into the group this summer where I know he will help build on the culture and environment that we established last season.”
Meanwhile Glasgow have made their first summer signing by recruiting USA Eagles No 8 David Tameilau, who was latterly with Narbonne in France’s second division.
The 6 ft 5 inch, 122kg back rower has been playing Major League Rugby in his homeland with the Utah Warriors. He previously had a short spell with Newcastle Falcons, and has nine caps for the USA scoring two tries.