Edinburgh win battle to keep young scrum-half star in Scotland

Edinburgh have moved to ward off interest in emerging scrum-half Hector Patterson by handing the 21-year-old a new improved deal until the end of the 2027-28 season.

The former Scotland Under-20s cap has only played eight senior club matches, after starting the last four games of last season – scoring tries in his first two – and the first four of the current campaign, contributing another try in an opening URC win at Ulster.

But the 21-year-old from Hawick only signed a single-year deal when he agreed his first professional contract in April.

Such has been the impression made by Patterson in the absence of the injured Ben Vellacott, and with new scrum-half signing Louie Chapman yet to arrive from New Zealand, that English PREM and French Top 14 clubs were already reportedly monitoring his progress and contract situation.

Patterson’s father Derrick, who also played for Edinburgh District, won two Scotland caps as a scrum-half in the mid-1990s but his son is also English-qualified through a grandparent.

The Borderer will remain in the Scottish capital for the immediate future though after agreeing a new contract on improved terms – which take effect immediately – until the end of next season.

“I’m really proud to have signed a new deal with Edinburgh,” Patterson said. “This is my club and I honestly didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I love the direction we’re heading in this season and the attacking style that’s been brought in suits the way I want to play. We’ve got a great group of young players coming through, alongside some really experienced guys who do a brilliant job of leading the squad.

“It’s an exciting time to be at Edinburgh. There’s a lot ahead of us and I can’t wait to be part of it.”

Patterson emerged at Jed-Forest and Hawick RFC before joining Edinburgh’s academy. He was part of the Scotland side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy on home soil.

A stellar start to his senior career suffered a hiccup last Friday in a home defeat by Toulon in Edinburgh’s European Challenge Cup opener.

But having won their opening three URC fixtures, Sean Everitt’s side sit top of the early-season table and will aim to make it four from four on Friday when the Johannesburg Lions are the visitors to Hive Stadium.

“We’re delighted to get this deal over the line,” the Edinburgh head coach said of Patterson’s new contract. “Hector has a huge amount of potential. He’s gutsy and he cares about winning.

“We think he can be a big player for this club for years to come. There are plenty of young players putting their hands up in this team, and we’re excited to see what Hector can achieve as part of it.”