New deal for Scotland hooker

Scotland hooker Ross Ford today agreed a two-year contract to stay with Edinburgh.

The 26-year-old, who will line-up for Scotland against England in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday, has agreed a new deal until May 2013.

Ford, who made his Edinburgh debut in October 2007, said: “I’ve loved being part of Edinburgh’s development in the last four years, and I’m excited by the prospect of helping the club push on.

“As a player, you always want to be part of a set-up that’s going forward and I firmly believe that this is the right environment for me to carry on maturing.

“I look forward to enjoying more good times with Edinburgh. It’s great to have my future sorted out, and I’m thrilled that future is with Edinburgh.”

Nick Scrivener, Edinburgh’s interim head coach, was thrilled to retain the services of Ford, who toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

He added: “Ross putting pen to paper is a massive boost for everyone. He’s a huge player for us in every sense, and re-signing someone of that quality is a positive signal about where we’re at as a club and where we want to go.

“We’re looking to him to really be a leader, in terms of his own performance and how he influences those around him, and we look forward to working with him to ensure he continues to go from strength to strength over the next couple of years.”