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Edinburgh raid Super Rugby for their latest signing

By Online Editors
Murray Douglas helps Nehe Milner-Skudder prepare during a Hurricanes Super Rugby training session at Rugby League Park in July 2018 (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Edinburgh have continued their recruitment drive ahead of next season with the signing of Scottish second row Murray Douglas from Super Rugby side Brumbies on a short-term deal to provide cover during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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The 29-year-old former Heriots, Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen Grammar player returns home to Edinburgh, for whom he has already made one appearance – against Cardiff Blues in 2012.

Douglas, who has previously turned out for Super Rugby sides Melbourne Rebels and Wellington Hurricanes, joined Brumbies on a two-year deal at the start of the current campaign.

However, the 6ft 6in second row will now join Edinburgh on a deal that will see him remain in the capital for a five-month period following the conclusion of the current Super Rugby season, before returning to the Canberra club for the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

Douglas, said: “I’m really excited to be presented with the opportunity to join Edinburgh. It’s a great opportunity for me to head back to Scotland in between Super Rugby seasons and represent the club that I grew up supporting.

(Continue reading below…)

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“Edinburgh have been going from strength to strength in recent years, so it’s a very exciting time to be joining the club. I am very much looking forward to joining the group and contributing to the club’s continued success next season.’’

Coach Richard Cockerill added: “Murray has picked up plenty of experience in Super Rugby, playing alongside some of the most exciting players in the world.

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“He’s a strong and skilful ball carrier that provides us with invaluable cover across a number of positions. We’re looking forward to watching how he develops in an already talented Edinburgh back-five.”

Having come through the ranks at Kirkcaldy, Douglas joined Aberdeen Grammar in 2008 while studying law at Aberdeen University. He returned to Edinburgh in 2012 to take up a law traineeship and joined Premiership side Heriots.

The second row captained the Scotland Club XV against Ireland and France in 2014 and helped Heriots lift the Scottish Cup in 2015 before making the move to Melbourne.

After joining the Rebels development side, Melbourne Rising, Douglas made his mark in the Dewar Shield before making a handful of appearances for the AAMI Park outfit during the 2017 Super Rugby season.

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Murray Douglas makes a break during Mitre 10 Cup match between Hawke’s Bay and Northland at McLean Park in September 2018 (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

A strong Mitre 10 Cup campaign later that year saw him pick up a contract with the Wellington-based Hurricanes, for whom he made his debut against the Bulls in Pretoria. He went onto make seven appearances in 2018.

Douglas joined Brumbies at the start of the current campaign and made his debut from the bench in this month’s 29-26 defeat to Rebels.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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