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Scott MacLeod joins Edinburgh

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Published Date: 29 January 2009
EDINBURGH have signed Scott MacLeod after the Scotland lock was released by the Scarlets.
The 29-year-old returns to his homeland after two and a half years with the Welsh region.

MacLeod hit the headlines last year when he tested positive for a banned substance and also elevated levels of testosterone.

But he was cleared in both cases after his explanations were accepted by the Scottish Rugby Union and UK Sport.

After signing a two-and-a-half year deal with Andy Robinson's side, a delighted MacLeod said: "I definitely feel like I'm making the right move and I'm really excited at the prospect of playing for Edinburgh.

"I was coached by Andy Robinson while on tour with Scotland over in Argentina and working with him on a day-to-day basis will definitely help me to improve as a player.

"He is a hard coach, but he gets the best out of his players. It is the best move I could have made at this stage in my career, especially after going through a difficult year.

"I'm looking forward to a fresh start and working hard towards achieving my career goals for both Edinburgh and Scotland."

He added: "Away from rugby, my wife and I recently had our first baby, so moving back closer to home will make a big difference.

"I'm also good friends with Allan Jacobsen and a lot of the other boys which will make the move a lot easier."

Robinson, whose 11 signings since taking charge of Edinburgh in October 2007 have all been Scotland-qualified, said: "Scott is a quality second-row forward and he will provide extra strength in that department, especially with Matt (Mustchin) and Steven (Turnbull) still ruled out through injury.

"I'm looking forward to working with him again after our time together in Argentina and I believe he will be a useful signing."

The full article contains 318 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 29 January 2009 2:17 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Edinburgh rugby
 
1

MT,

29/01/2009 14:55:10
It doesnt make any sense, we already have plenty players in that position, so it just means more Scotland Qualified players not getting game time. Macleod is likely to partner Jim Hamilton, so what will happen Craig Hamilton and Mutchin? Yet another reason we need another pro team.
2

MT,

29/01/2009 14:56:47
Another note, I applaud Andy Robinson for only signing Scots qualified players. If we signed a foreign player, especially in a key position like fly half or centre, it would be a disaster for the national team.
Its bad enough already in Glasgow where 2 out of 3 in the back 3 are non Scotland qualified.
3

Blind Pew,

29/01/2009 15:28:41
#1 Sorry but two second rows is not enough for even a club side!!! This gives Edinburgh 4 international 2nd rows; Mustchin/Hamilton/MacLeod/Hamilton a more than sound pool, with youngsters like S. Turnbull there as back up for injuries? At present Gissing is 4th choice SR, but he is past it now and Edinburgh needed new blood.

I am all for another pro set up, but this is a good signing for Edinburgh and can only help there strength in depth.
4

Tobias Smyth,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 15:47:30
This will actually dilute the talent and quality of the second rows playing pro rugby in Scotland. It means a Scottish qualified second row will now either be kicking their heels on the bench or getting themselves half-baked in club rugby. Plus the cost of bringing McLeod back will be in the hundreds of thousands.

It's the same exact same scenario with Chris Cusiter going to Glasgow. Fortress Murrayfield is flawed.

We should be proud that Scottish talent is going across Europe to ply their trade, not pining for them to come back at the earliest opportunity.

It is the quality of rugby that the Scotland squad members are playing week in week out that will make the national team better, not the amount of prep time they have with Frank Hadden.
5

Alistair Macintosh,

29/01/2009 15:47:34
I pay my season ticket to watch Edinburgh entertain and win rugby rugby matches, not just to be a feeder team to the national side. When Edinburgh had a top overseas player like Blackadder the whole team benefitted. Look at the teams in the quarter finals of the Heineken cup and there is a liberal sprinkling of overseas players.
Edinburgh is being used as a development team for the national team, rather than a team in its own right. If this continues the size of crowds will drop even further.
6

GAR,

Dublin 29/01/2009 15:59:32
#5 whilst you raise a valid point, i think it would be great to watch an edinburgh team winning with 15 scottish players in the team. I agree, that perhaps 1 or 2 high profile players would make a difference. I get along to Leinster games, and they have spent huge money on R Elsom and CJ Van - both, of which are big disappointments keeping young irish players out the team.

I would much prefer the money want on McLeod than Gissing or another foreigner. McLeod and Cuisiter are both QUALITY PLAYERS - lets not complain.
7

Tobias Smyth,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 16:23:27
The crux of the problem is the fact that we want all the best Scottish players playing in Scotland, but we only have two teams for them, and all the good young scottish talent, to play in.

It's Catch 22.
Glasgow/Edinburgh play with 15 Scots week in week out, get beaten more often than not, but help develop a strong national team.
Or;
Glasgow/Edinburgh play with 10 scots and 5 foreigners week in week out, win more often than not, but hinder the development of a strong national team.

We need 4 pro teams, 3 minimum.
8

Macd123,

29/01/2009 16:45:05
We can't afford more pro teams. Not until the current 2 are self sustaining.

Whatever happens we have to get the debt down first, then we can move on.



9

Shorthouse,

29/01/2009 16:54:21
Good signing. He'll not let anyone down
10

Tobias Smyth,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 17:03:14
I agree with points #8 and #9.

My points were more hypothetical than anything else.
11

JBA,

29/01/2009 19:00:56
Good to have both Cusiter and McLeod back, but where is the money coming from. It must be costing the SRU at least £250,000 per year. One of the SRU's reasons for disbanding the 3rd pro team was the lack of finance.
12

AngusB.,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 19:21:38
Bring back a third Pro team, if the Borders don't show belief send it north
13

Brian_Stewart,

Kirkcaldy 29/01/2009 19:33:43
I still recon the SRU missed a trick with London Scottish, with backing they could be promoted to National League 1 without too much difficulty. Then with all these pro's we have washing around send them down south and get into the Premiership. The players get competive games regularly and it would take some of the wage burden of the SRU.
14

Greenmachine,

hawick 29/01/2009 21:39:42
Welcome home mate, with a bit of luck you will become an assigned pro and pull on the Green jersey once more.
15

Mobat,

29/01/2009 21:55:44
If these guy's were any good they'd be raking in big money in the GP or top 14
16

The Real Truth,

29/01/2009 22:45:45
What about the youngsters coming through - are these guys ever going to get game time? Look at Steve Turnbull - he's been at Edinburgh for a few years now as an apprentice and now a full time pro yet he's seen very little action. He's not a teenager anymore. These young guys need to be blooded otherwise there is no point in signing them. With at least 5 players in front of them how are the likes of Turnbull and Frazer McKenzie ever going to get game time. If i was in his shoes, i'd be looking for a big money move abroad where he might even play in the odd game of rugby.
On another topic, guys like Colin Shaw have been on the outskirts of the Glasgow team for 4 years now - if he's not good enough to make the grade, why not get rid of him and make way for some new young talent. The guy is 25 now - youngster no longer!
17

JBA,

30/01/2009 09:48:22
#16. Quite agree, however i do not believe that other countries are looking to develop Scottish pro players. They want experienced ready made pros. It is imperative that Scotland has a 3rd pro side. Let us not forget that Cusiter, Walker, Mcleod, and Brown to name but a few all had their professional development with the Borders. The worry is that we no longer have players like these guys getting regular game time at pro level.
18

Sonic,

30/01/2009 12:22:01
#16 Turnbull has had a long term injury keeping him out but has already played European rugby with Edinburgh. Take a look through the first team squad at Edinburgh you can hardly fault the efforts to develop talent.

 

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