Edinburgh announce short-term signing of Exeter lock

Edinburgh Rugby have announced the signing of Exeter Chiefs lock Stan South on a short-term loan.

South, 23, makes the move north from Sandy Park, whom he joined from Harlequins at the start of the current campaign.

The 6ft 5in former England U20 lock has made three appearances for the 2016/17 Premiership Champions and links-up with the capital side immediately.

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On joining the club on loan, South, said: “I want to play a high standard of rugby and continue to develop as a player.

“Edinburgh have a great reputation and the coaches at the club will no doubt help me achieve this. I’m looking forward to linking up with the squad.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, added: “We’re obviously a little light in the second-row position during this period due to international selection, so it’s brilliant that we’ve been able to bring in a player of Stan’s quality.

“He’s a really strong ball carrier that clearly brings a level of physicality to that position group. We’re delighted to get this deal done ahead of a vital run of fixtures.”

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The Southampton-born lock came through the ranks at Stanley Park School where he showed leadership abilities from a young age.

South captained Sutton and Epsom U16s, Surrey U16s and U17s, Whitgift first XV as well as Harlequins U18s, before joining the London club on a full-time contract.

South debuted for the Londoners against Gloucester in 2015, while he had previously been nominated for the Anglo-Welsh Cup Breakthrough Player of the Year award following some outstanding performances for the club at both lock and in the back-row.

After joining Exeter this summer on an initial one-year deal, South was quickly thrown into the fray with his new club, featuring in this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup, where he has helped the Chiefs reach the last four of the competition.

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