Ex-England U20 international James Grayson agrees UK homecoming

Edinburgh boss Sean Everitt is hoping to have found a solution to his fly-half problems after completing the signing of former England U20 international James Grayson on a one-year deal from Japanese side Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars.

Grayson, 27, the son of England 2003 World Cup winner Paul, has spent the last three years playing in Japan but hasn’t held down a regular place in his preferred position this season and started the first four games of the campaign at full-back.

Shun Miyake, who was signed from the New Zealand NPC outfit Canterbury, has emerged as their first choice, while Charlie Titcombe was signed from Leicester Tigers towards the end of last year.

Grayson, who was a Premiership Rugby Cup winner against Saracens in March 2019, moved to Japan in November 2023 on a short-term deal after England star Fin Smith became the first choice fly-half at Franklin’s Gardens.

He then signed a two-year deal with a view to switching his international allegiances to Japan after serving the five-year qualification period, but that has now been abandoned after signing on in the Scottish capital.

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“International rugby is definitely an ambition of mine. I’m never going to shut out the opportunity to play international rugby, whether that be for England or Japan.

“It’s an amazing country and culture, and if I spend enough time there, then yes, 100 per cent, I’d be open to playing for them,” he told the BBC.

Everitt has had major problems at fly-half this season, with Ben Healy, Cammy Scott, and Ross Thompson failing to make the 10 shirt their own, and he hopes that Grayson is the answer.

Healy, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is currently on loan in the Gallagher PREM with Newcastle Red Bulls, and is moving to the Top 14 next season after signing for La Rochelle.

Grayson will be Edinburgh’s fourth new signing for next season, with scrum half Louie Chapman joining from Crusaders, inside centre Riley Higgins from the Hurricanes and outside centre Geordie Gwynn moving from Ealing Trailfinders.