Edinburgh
Full nameEdinburgh Rugby
Founded1872 (1872)
LocationEdinburgh, Scotland
Ground(s)Hive Stadium
(Capacity 7,800)
CEODouglas Struth[1]
Coach(es)Sean Everitt
Captain(s)Grant Gilchrist
Jamie Ritchie
Most capsAllan Jacobsen (286)
Top scorerChris Paterson (783)
Most triesTim Visser (60)
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2022–23League: 12th
Playoffs: DNQ
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
edinburghrugby.org

Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Edinburgh Reivers, Edinburgh Gunners) is one of the two professional rugby union teams from Scotland. The club competes in the United Rugby Championship, along with the Glasgow Warriors, its oldest rival. Edinburgh plays the majority of its home games at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium.

The original Edinburgh District team played the first ever inter-district match against Glasgow District in 1872, winning the match 3–0.

The amateur district team was reformed with professionalism, as Edinburgh Rugby, in 1996 to compete in the Heineken Cup, its best performance coming in the 2011–12 season, when the club reached the semi-final but lost out narrowly to Ulster, 22–19. The quarter-final tie against Toulouse attracted a club record crowd of over 38,000 spectators to Murrayfield. In 2003–04 Edinburgh became the first Scottish team to reach the quarter-finals.[2][3][4]

In the 2014–15 season, Edinburgh became the first Scottish club to reach a major European final, when they met Gloucester Rugby in the European Rugby Challenge Cup showpiece at Twickenham Stoop in London.

    History

    Edinburgh District played in the world's first ever inter-district match, against Glasgow District, in 1872.[5]

    For the history of the District prior to professionalism, see:

    Professional era establishment: 1996

    Following the introduction of professional rugby in 1995, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) considered that Scottish club sides would not be able to compete against the best teams from France and England. The SRU therefore decided that the four district teams were to be Scotland's vehicle for professional rugby and in 1996 the Edinburgh District team was reformed as Edinburgh Rugby to compete in the Heineken Cup. Because of the SRU's significant debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield Stadium, further reorganisation soon became necessary and the four professional sides were reduced to two. After two seasons as Edinburgh Rugby, the club was subsequently merged with Border Reivers to form a new team known as Edinburgh Reivers.

    For the 1999 and 2000 seasons the Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union joined forces, with the expansion of the Welsh Premier Division to include Edinburgh Reivers and Glasgow Caledonians, under the name Welsh-Scottish League. However, further change was imminent and in 2001 an agreement was made between the Irish Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union and Welsh Rugby Union to create a new competition which would bring in the four Irish provinces. 2001 saw the first incarnation of the Celtic League. In that inaugural season Edinburgh finished in sixth place.

    The following season, to coincide with the re-establishment of the Border Reivers, a Scottish League competition modelled on the Tri-Nations was introduced alongside the Celtic League, however this survived for only a single season, Edinburgh becoming the only champions.

    Following the reduction of Scotland's professional structure from four to two sides, a further rebranding took place. The Edinburgh Reivers name was replaced by Edinburgh Rugby, with the Glasgow Caledonians undergoing a similar renaming process, as part of a "major revamp"[6] of the professional structure in Scotland.

    In the 2003–04 season the team found some success, when it reached the Final of the inaugural Celtic Cup, beating Cardiff Blues and Connacht en route in the quarter-finals[7] and semi-finals[8] respectively. The team's good run came to an end in the Final, however, with a 21–27 loss to Ulster, at Murrayfield. David Humphreys kicked 17 points in the match to earn the Irish province the trophy[9]

    For the 2005–06 season, the Edinburgh team found itself looking for a new coach after the departure of Frank Hadden to coach Scotland.[10] Sean Lineen, then Glasgow Warriors assistant coach, was linked with the post[11] before Todd Blackadder acquired the position for the season[12] after a spell as interim coach.[13] During the same season the team nickname was incorporated into the official name, which became the Edinburgh Gunners. The "Gunners" moniker was dropped on 29 September 2006, after the club had become Scottish rugby's first private franchise during the summer. The team name reverted to Edinburgh Rugby. One reason for the change was that the name The Gunners was already a registered Trademark of Arsenal Football Club.[5] Another reason was the wish of the new owners for a re-branding, including a different name and the introduction of a new logo.

    Private ownership: 2006–07

    Scotland's first private franchise: 2006

    Logo for the 2006–07 Celtic League season

    In 2006, it was announced that from the end of the 2005–06 season, Edinburgh would become a franchise. Finance would come from a private company headed by businessmen Alex and Bob Carruthers.[14] This was thought to be a saving grace for Border Reivers. The team was thought to be the favourite to be folded, after the Scottish Rugby Union warned that funding problems could force it to scrap one of its Celtic League sides.[15] The SRU was to retain a seat on the new company board and continue to provide development funding and support to the new owners.[14] Following the departure of Todd Blackadder to join the Crusaders coaching setup in Super Rugby, Lynn Howells was appointed as head coach by Edinburgh's new executive chairman, Alex Carruthers.[16]

    Funding dispute and return to SRU: 2007

    In July 2007, a dispute arose between the Scottish Rugby Union and the owners of the newly franchised Edinburgh team. According to owner Bob Carruthers the SRU owed Edinburgh a six-figure sum which, he said, had not been paid. Carruthers also claimed that SRU had threatened to withdraw funding should Edinburgh continue with legal action relating to the sum.[17] During the dispute, Alex Carruthers resigned along with then managing director Graeme Stirling.[18] The dispute caused much disruption in Scottish rugby at the time, leading to the temporary withdrawal of 12 players from the Scotland squad training for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This included leading players such as Chris Paterson and Mike Blair[18]

    The dispute escalated when, on 9 July 2007, Edinburgh revoked its associate membership of the SRU.[19] This led to doubts about Edinburgh Rugby's ability to fulfil fixtures in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup and, whether or not Edinburgh players were insured for playing at club level. The resignation was withdrawn on 12 July, with Bob Carruthers being quoted as asking to "talk directly to someone" and insisting that the proposed signing of Australia stand-off Stephen Larkham would go ahead.[20] Despite this, the dispute continued, with each party initiating legal action against the other.[21][22] The situation was resolved in August 2007, with the termination of the franchise agreement and the return of Edinburgh to the direct control of the SRU.[23]

    Under Andy Robinson: 2007–2009

    Edinburgh playing against Munster at Murrayfield Stadium in the 2007–08 Celtic League

    Following the return to SRU control, the club coach Lynn Howells was dismissed. The SRU's Head of Player Development was appointed interim coach and Nic Cartwright was appointed as chief executive.[23] Former British and Irish Lions captain Gavin Hastings was subsequently appointed as chairman,[24] stating his "desire and passion to see this game and this club grow". The proposed signing of Stephen Larkham fell through after the SRU was unable to honour the terms of the agreement.[25] This was seen as a disappointment, because the signing had been considered a coup for the beleaguered SRU when it was initially announced.[26]

    Following an application process,[27] it was announced on 1 October 2007 that Andy Robinson, the former England head coach, would become the club's new head coach.[28] Edinburgh showed progress under Robinson and performed well at home in the Heineken Cup, posting wins against Leinster[29] and Leicester Tigers[30] and a narrow loss to Toulouse, earning a bonus point.[31] Following disappointing performances by Scotland in the 6 Nations, and Robinson co-coaching Scotland A,[32] there were rumours of Robinson taking a post within the Scotland set-up after helping Edinburgh to climb to 3rd in the Celtic League.[33][34] This progress, however, was counter-pointed by some disappointing results including being shut out by Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield[35] and losing the 1872 Challenge Cup on aggregate to rivals Glasgow Warriors.[36]

    On 26 December 2008, a new home record attendance of 12,534 saw the game against Glasgow Warriors.[37] In the 2008–09 season Edinburgh reached their highest position finishing in second place behind Munster.

    Andy Robinson left in 2009 to take up the position of head coach of the Scottish national side. Rob Moffat took over at Edinburgh. Michael Bradley was the new manager from 2011 to 2012.

    Under Michael Bradley: 2011–2013

    Michael Bradley took over in May 2011 on a two-year contract.[38]

    The 2011–12 season saw the introduction of several young players into the squad including début seasons for 21-year-olds Matt Scott and Grant Gilchrist, 19-year-old Harry Leonard and first full seasons for back three players Tom Brown and Lee Jones plus the back row pair Stuart McInally and David Denton. Most of these players would become regular starters for the club and Jones, Brown, Scott, Gilchrist, McInally and Denton were destined for international honours. Domestically the season was not a success, with only 6 league wins out of 22 games, but the 2011–12 Heineken Cup campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history when it topped Pool 2, including a remarkable home victory against Racing Métro by 48–47[39] and setting up a quarter final against French rugby giants Toulouse by scoring four tries against London Irish. The game against Toulouse in April 2012, was played before a new club record crowd of 38,887 and was closely contested, with Edinburgh holding out for a 19–14 win thanks to an early try from Mike Blair and penalties from captain Greig Laidlaw, setting up a semi-final in Dublin against Ulster. The semi-final was a close match but Ulster triumphed 22–19.

    The 2012–13 season started with much expectation after the strengthening of the squad through the additions of W. P. Nel, John Yapp, Richie Rees, Dimitri Basilaia, Ben Atiga, Greig Tonks, Izak van der Westhuizen, and Andy Titterrell. These arrivals were however tempered by the loss of several experienced internationals, Mike Blair, Chris Paterson, Jim Thompson, Alan MacDonald, Esteban Lozada and Phil Godman among them. However, after another poor start to the Pro12 League, Edinburgh were then beaten 0–45 by Saracens at Murrayfield in the first round of Heineken Cup matches. This was followed by another high-scoring defeat when the team lost 33–0 to Munster Rugby at Thomond Park.

    Following increasingly disappointing results and performances in the Pro12 league it was announced in February 2013 that Edinburgh would not be renewing Bradley's contract at the end of the season along with defence coach Billy McGinty. McGinty chose to leave his position with immediate effect with Bradley overseeing the defence until the end of the season. However, in a surprise move just a month later on 6 March 2013 Edinburgh announced that both Bradley and forwards coach Neil Back were being removed with immediate effect and coaches Stevie Scott and Duncan Hodge would take over until the end of the season.

    In his final year to early March 2013 the Club lost all six matches in the Heineken Cup and recorded four league victories all season in the Pro12 against Cardiff, Zebre, Connacht and the Ospreys. Edinburgh Rugby accumulated seven losing bonus points in this period highlighting the need for minor adjustments to change the sides fortunes on the pitch.

    In the remaining five matches on the season Edinburgh won three, recording victories against Ulster, Zebre and Gwent Dragons to finish the season in 10th place in the Pro12 one place higher than the 2011–12 season.

    Under Alan Solomons: 2013–2016

    Alan Solomons, formerly the coach of Western Province, Stormers, Ulster and more recently Super Rugby team the Kings, was appointed as head coach at the end of July 2013.[40] Stevie Scott and Omar Mouneimne were appointed as assistant coaches.

    Solomons' first season at the club was treated largely as a rebuilding period, with several players departing and replacements coming in. The league campaign culminated in an eighth-place finish.[41]

    2014–15 saw Edinburgh again finishing eighth, albeit with ten points and three victories more than the previous season. While the pre-season target of a top six finish wasn't achieved, there were other reasons to consider the campaign a success. The first came over the festive period when the team beat Glasgow Warriors over two legs to win the inter-city 1872 Cup for the first time in six seasons. After going down 16–6 in the first encounter at Scotstoun Stadium, the Murrayfield men turned the tables with a 20–8 victory in the return leg, with Tim Visser notching two first-half tries, to bring the trophy back to the capital for the first time since 2009. As the season reached its final stages, Edinburgh's excellent European form took them to within touching distance of more silverware.

    Solomons left the club in September 2016 following a poor start to the season. Assistant coach Duncan Hodge was placed in temporary charge, and ultimately held the reins for the remainder of the campaign.[42]

    European Rugby Challenge Cup 2014–15

    By finishing top of their European Rugby Challenge Cup group (containing the French Top 14 pair Lyon and Bordeaux as well as English Premiership team London Welsh) they progressed to the knockout stage, where they were seeded fifth. They went on to beat fourth seed London Irish 18–23 in the quarter finals at the Madejski Stadium. In the semi-finals they thrashed the Newport Gwent Dragons an impressive 45–16 in front of a home crowd of over 8,000 at Murrayfield, making them the first Scottish team to ever reach a European final. They faced Gloucester in the final at the Twickenham Stoop on the 2 May, losing 19–13.[43]

    Under Richard Cockerill: 2017–2021

    In February 2017, the club announced the appointment of former Leicester Tigers and Toulon Head Coach Richard Cockerill for the following season.[44] Cockerill led the team to the play-offs of the 2017–18 Pro14 season, the first time the club have qualified for the end-of-season series since its introduction. Their season ended following a tight away defeat to Munster.[45]

    During his tenure, several Edinburgh players have made their international debuts for Scotland, including props Simon Berghan, Darryl Marfo and Murray McCallum, lock Lewis Carmichael, wing Darcy Graham, full-back Blair Kinghorn, hooker Dave Cherry, flankers Luke Hamilton and Jamie Ritchie, and former Edinburgh players Phil Burleigh, Cornell du Preez and George Turner, flanker Luke Crosbie, centres Chris Dean and James Johnstone, and scrum-halves Nathan Fowles, Sean Kennedy and Charlie Shiel were named in Scotland squads.

    In addition, wing Duhan van der Merwe, prop Rory Sutherland, and flanker Hamish Watson have all toured with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa, with each one becoming a Test Lion in the first test match of the series, a 17–22 win for the Lions against the Springboks. However, in July 2021, Cockerill left Edinburgh by mutual consent. Former Scotland captain and Lions scrum-half Mike Blair has been appointed as the head coach for the 2021–22 season, Edinburgh's first in the new United Rugby Championship.

    Under Mike Blair: 2021–2023

    Following a frustrating season, Edinburgh announced the immediate departure of head coach Richard Cockerill by "mutual consent" in July 2021 with Mike Blair (who was at the time part of the Scotland International set up) announced as the new head coach later that month. Blair's appointment coincided with new signings including Scotland international James Lang, South African Henry Immelman and Argentine utility back Emiliano Boffelli. Blair's appointment also saw the departure of longtime attack coach Duncan Hodge.

    Blair's first game in charge was a 10-26 pre-season friendly loss to Newcastle Falcons; their first game in the new Edinburgh Rugby Stadium (since renamed the DAM Health Stadium for sponsorship reasons). Edinburgh made a good start to their first United Rugby Championship campaign and also the European Challenge Cup, where they beat Saracens 18–21 away in the first round.

    In February 2023, Blair announced he would step down as head coach at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season [46]


    Under Sean Everit

    Sean Everitt was recruited in July 2023 as "Senior Coach" to replace Blair for the 2023/24 season. [47]

    Stadia

    Edinburgh Rugby have played at a number of grounds over the years including Meadowbank Stadium, Meggetland Sports Complex and most recently Myreside. It was recognised over the years by fans and players alike that Edinburgh have lacked a true Home Ground with BT Murrayfield often criticised for providing a poor atmosphere due to being largely empty for most games.

    On 31 May 2018, Edinburgh Rugby announced a new proposed 7,800-seater Edinburgh Rugby Stadium to be built on the training pitches at Murrayfield. The stadium cost Scottish Rugby an estimated £5 million.[48] The stadium was completed on 16 February 2021.[49]

    Women's team

    In December 2023, Edinburgh launched a women's team to compete in the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border competition that is designed to develop players for the Celtic nations, starting in the 2023–24 season.[50][51][52]

    Current standings

    2023–24 United Rugby Championship
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
    1Ireland Leinster9702257161+9636205134
    2Italy Benetton9711192161+3122222032
    3Scotland Glasgow Warriors9603244192+5236196131
    4Ireland Ulster9603217208+926302228
    5Scotland Edinburgh9603200198+222251126
    6South Africa Bulls8503294182+11240214226
    7South Africa Stormers9504213163+5026223326
    8Wales Ospreys9504203180+2327214125
    9Ireland Connacht9504215215024281324
    10Ireland Munster9414184153+3123163324
    11South Africa Lions8404230175+5529213423
    12Wales Cardiff9315227204+2329262521
    13Wales Scarlets9207148310–16219412212
    14Italy Zebre Parma9117194319–12527463312
    15Wales Dragons9207142306–16416420210
    16South Africa Sharks9108173206–332325149
    If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[53]
    1. number of matches won;
    2. the difference between points for and points against;
    3. the number of tries scored;
    4. the most points scored;
    5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
    6. the fewest red cards received;
    7. the fewest yellow cards received.
    Green background indicates teams that are play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Champions Cup

    Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup.
    Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

      Honours

      1. ↑ Formerly known as European Challenge Cup
      2. ↑ Formerly known as Celtic League/Magners League, Pro12 and Pro14

      Coaching staff

      • Head coach: Sean Everitt
      • Assistant skills and attack coach: Robert Chrystie
      • Forwards coach: Stevie Lawrie
      • Defence coach: Michael Todd

      Current squad

      Edinburgh Rugby United Rugby Championship squad[lower-alpha 1]

      Props

      Hookers

      Locks

      Back row

      Scrum-halves

      Fly-halves

      Centres

      Wings

      Fullbacks

      (cc) denotes the team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
      * denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
      ST denotes a short-term signing.
      L denotes a player on loan at the club.
      Players and their allocated positions from the Edinburgh Rugby website.[57]
      1. ↑ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

      Academy players

      Edinburgh Rugby Academy squad[lower-alpha 1]

      Props

      • Scotland Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
      • Scotland Robbie Deans

      Hookers

      • Scotland Jerry Blyth-Lafferty

      Locks

      • Scotland Euan McVie

      Back row

      • Scotland Tom Currie
      • Scotland Freddie Douglas
      • Scotland Ollie Duncan
      • Scotland Liam McConnell

      Scrum-halves

      • Scotland Finlay Burgess
      • Scotland Hector Patterson

      Fly-halves

      • Scotland Isaac Coates

      Centres

      • Scotland Jack Hocking

      Wings

      • Scotland Finn Douglas

      Fullbacks

      • Scotland Jack Brown
      (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
      * denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
      ST denotes a short-term signing.
      Players and their allocated positions from the Edinburgh Rugby website.[58][59]
      1. ↑ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

      Former players and present and past coaches

      While still an amateur side, Edinburgh District capped the Royal HSFP forward James Robertson in the 1870s. Robertson was the first black person to play rugby union.[60]

      Notable former players

      Former players who have played for Edinburgh and have more than 20 caps for their respective country.

      Coaches

      Statistics

      Heineken Cup / Rugby Champions Cup

      Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
      1996–97 Pools 4 0 4 0 [61]
      1998–99 Pools 6 2 3 1 [62]
      1999–00 Pools 6 3 3 0 [63]
      2000–01 Pools 6 3 2 1 [64]
      2001–02 Pools 6 1 4 1 [65]
      2002–03 Pools 6 2 4 0 [66]
      2003–04 Pools 7 5 2 0
      PlayoffsQuarter-finals
      Stade Toulousain 36 – 10 Edinburgh [67]
      2004–05 Pools 6 1 5 0 [68]
      2005–06 Pools 6 2 4 0 [69]
      2006–07 Pools 6 1 5 0 [70]
      2007–08 Pools 6 2 4 0 [71]
      2008–09 Pools 6 2 4 0 [72]
      2009–10 Pools 6 3 3 0 [73]
      2010–11 Pools 6 1 5 0 [73]
      2011–12 Pools 8 6 2 0
      PlayoffsSemi-finals
      Ulster 22 – 19 Edinburgh [73]
      2012–13 Pools 6 0 6 0 [73]
      2013–14 Pools 6 3 3 0 [73]
      2018–19 Pools 6 5 0 1
      PlayoffsQuarter-finals
      Edinburgh 13 – 17 Munster
      2020–21 Pools 2 1 0 1
      PlayoffsRound of 16
      Racing 92 56 – 3 Edinburgh
      2022–23 Pools 4 3 0 1
      PlayoffsRound of 16
      Leicester Tigers 16 – 6 Edinburgh

      European Challenge Cup / Rugby Challenge Cup

      Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn Source
      1997–98 Pools 6 2 4 0 [74]
      2014–15Pools6501
      PlayoffsFinal
      Edinburgh 13 – 19 Gloucester Rugby
      2015–16Pools6402
      2016–17Pools6501
      PlayoffsQuarter-final
      Edinburgh 22 – 32 La Rochelle
      2017–18Pools6501
      PlayoffsQuarter-final
      Edinburgh 6 – 20 Cardiff Blues
      2019–20Pools6411
      PlayoffsQuarter-final
      Bordeaux Bègles 23 – 14 Edinburgh
      2021–22Pools4301
      PlayoffsQuarter-final
      Edinburgh 30 – 34 Wasps

      Celtic League

      Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2001–02Pool B
      (7 teams)      		6th6240
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2002–03Pool A
      (8 teams)      		2nd7610
      Playoffs Quarter-finals
      Edinburgh 22 – 26 Cardiff Blues
      2003–04League
      (12 teams)      		10th229130
      2004–05League
      (11 teams)      		7th209110
      2005–06League
      (11 teams)      		5th201190
      2006–07League
      (11 teams)      		8th208111
      2007–08League
      (10 teams)      		4th18963
      2008–09League
      (10 teams)      		2nd181170
      2009–10League
      (10 teams)      		6th188100
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2010–11League
      (12 teams)      		8th228130
      Playoffs Did not qualify

      Pro12

      Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2011–12League
      (12 teams)      		11th226151
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2012–13League
      (12 teams)      		10th227150
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2013–14League
      (12 teams)      		8th227150
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2014–15<League
      (12 teams)      		8th2210111
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2015–16League
      (12 teams)      		9th2211110
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2016–17League
      (12 teams)      		9th226160
      Playoffs Did not qualify

      Pro14

      Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2017–18Conference B
      (7 teams)      		3rd211560
      Playoffs Quarter-finals
      Munster 20 – 16 Edinburgh
      2018–19Conference B
      (7 teams)      		5th2110110
      Playoffs Did not qualify
      2019–20Conference B
      (7 teams)      		1st151140
      Playoffs Semi-finals
      Edinburgh 19 – 22 Ulster
      2020–21Conference B
      (7 teams)      		5th165101
      Playoffs No playoffs (COVID-19)

      Pro14 Rainbow Cup

      Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2021League
      (12 teams)      		9th5131
      Playoffs No playoffs

      United Rugby Championship

      Season Pool/Conference Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2021–22 League
      (16 teams)      		7th181071
      Playoffs Quarter finals
      Stormers 28 – 17 Edinburgh
      2022–23 League
      (16 teams)      		12th186120
      Playoffs Did not qualify

      Scottish League

      Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      2002–03 1st 8521

      Welsh/Scottish League

      Season Pos Played Won Lost Drawn
      1999–00 8th 2210111
      2000–01 8th 2211110
      2001–02 6th 201082

      Edinburgh and District

      The Tennents Premiership is the premier club competition over the Edinburgh region. The district includes clubs from the council areas: City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian.

      Currently four district clubs compete at the top level of amateur rugby in Scotland.

      National leagues

      BT National League is an amateur league competition for rugby union clubs in Scotland. It forms the second tier of the Scottish League Championship.

      East leagues

      The East leagues cover the Edinburgh & District and the Scottish Borders area. They play at a level below that of the National Leagues structure. Winners of the league may progress to the National League.

      The clubs

      Edinburgh and District consists of 32 clubs.

      City of Edinburgh

      There are 20 clubs in the City of Edinburgh council area.

      East Lothian

      There are 6 clubs in East Lothian.

      West Lothian

      There are 3 clubs in West Lothian.

      Midlothian

      There are 3 clubs in Midlothian.

      Notes

        References

        1. ↑ "Douglas Struth named new Edinburgh Rugby managing director, replacing Jonny Petrie". The Scotsman. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
        2. ↑ "Heineken Champions Cup". European Professional Club Rugby.
        3. ↑ "Edinburgh 33–15 Ospreys". BBC News. 23 January 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        4. ↑ "Edinburgh aim for European repeat". BBC News. 17 October 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        5. 1 2 "Edinburgh drop Gunners from title". BBC News. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        6. ↑ "Scots drop 'Reivers' and 'Caledonians'". BBC News. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        7. ↑ "Edinburgh blast Blues aside". BBC News. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        8. ↑ "Edinburgh prove too good". BBC News. 15 November 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        9. ↑ "Ulster hold on for victory". BBC News. 20 December 2003. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        10. ↑ "Scotland appoint Hadden as coach". BBC News. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        11. ↑ "Lineen flattered by capital link". BBC News. 21 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        12. ↑ "Blackadder to leave in the summer". BBC News. 30 September 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        13. ↑ "Hogg gets Gloucester coaching job". BBC News. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        14. 1 2 "Edinburgh to become a franchise". BBC News. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        15. ↑ "No SRU axe as yet for the Borders". BBC News. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        16. ↑ "Edinburgh name Howells new coach". BBC News. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        17. ↑ "Edinburgh face SRU closure threat". BBC News. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        18. 1 2 "Edinburgh chairman resigns in row". BBC News. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        19. ↑ "Edinburgh resign from Scots Union". BBC News. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        20. ↑ "Edinburgh rejoin Scottish Union". BBC News. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        21. ↑ "SRU seeks legal advice on funding". BBC News. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        22. ↑ "Edinburgh dispute heads for court". BBC News. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        23. 1 2 "Edinburgh back in union control". BBC News. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        24. ↑ "Hastings takes post at Edinburgh". BBC News. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        25. ↑ "Larkham's Edinburgh deal scrapped". BBC News. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        26. ↑ "Edinburgh clinch Larkham signing". BBC News. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        27. ↑ "Coach applications delight SRU". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        28. ↑ "Robinson named coach of Edinburgh". BBC News. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        29. ↑ "Edinburgh 29–10 Leinster". BBC News. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        30. ↑ "Edinburgh 17–12 Leicester". BBC News. 12 January 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        31. ↑ "Edinburgh 15–19 Toulouse". BBC News. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        32. ↑ "Club coaches to lead Scotland A". BBC News. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        33. ↑ "Robinson content with Edinburgh". BBC News. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        34. ↑ "Edinburgh 35–31 Glasgow". BBC News. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        35. ↑ "Edinburgh 0–20 Blues". BBC News. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        36. ↑ "Glasgow 23–14 Edinburgh". BBC News. 11 April 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
        37. ↑ "Why Rugby Union Is The Best Sport In the World". magnersleague.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009.
        38. ↑ "Head coach Michael Bradley to leave Edinburgh in May". BBC Sport. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
        39. ↑ "ERC : Match Centre : Heineken Cup : Edinburgh win sensational Murrayfield battle". Ercrugby.com. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        40. ↑ "Solomons appointed head coach" (Press release). Edinburgh Rugby. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
        41. ↑ "RaboDirect PRO12 13/14 table | Scottish Rugby Union". Archived from the original on 7 May 2015.
        42. ↑ "Alan Solomons: Edinburgh coach steps down, Duncan Hodge to be acting boss". BBC Sport. 28 September 2016.
        43. ↑ Stoop, Paul Rees at The (1 May 2015). "Edinburgh 13-19 Gloucester | European Challenge Cup final match report". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
        44. ↑ "Fanzone grid view". Edinburgh Rugby. 23 May 2023.
        45. ↑ "Edinburgh 'missed a massive opportunity' v Munster despite 'unarguable progress'". BBC Sport. 6 May 2018.
        46. ↑ "Mike Blair to step down as Edinburgh head coach at end of season". 24 February 2023.
        47. ↑ "Edinburgh Rugby announce new 'senior coach' from South Africa". The Scotsman. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
        48. ↑ "In pictures: Edinburgh Rugby's new stadium takes shape". 10 July 2020.
        49. ↑ "Home at Last: New Edinburgh Rugby stadium completed". Edinburgh Rugby. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
        50. ↑ "Edinburgh & Glasgow launch women's teams". BBC Sport. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
        51. ↑ "Edinburgh Rugby women's side to enter Celtic Challenge". Edinburgh Rugby. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
        52. ↑ "Celtic Challenge competition format confirmed alongside alignment of Scottish sides to Edinburgh Rugby & Glasgow Warriors". Scottish Rugby. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
        53. ↑ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
        54. ↑ "Melrose Sevens". 7 June 2019.
        55. ↑ "Cartha / Glasgow City Sevens". 7 June 2019.
        56. ↑ "Boroughmuir / Capital Sevens". 7 June 2019.
        57. ↑ "Edinburgh Rugby: Team". Edinburgh Rugby. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
        58. ↑ "BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academies". Scotland Rugby. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
        59. ↑ "2023/24 Pro-Academy intake confirmed". Edinburgh Rugby. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
        60. ↑ "The hidden history of Scotland's first black rugby player". 29 November 2018.
        61. ↑ "Heineken Cup 1996/7". BBC News. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        62. ↑ "Heineken Cup 1998/9". BBC News. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        63. ↑ "Heineken Cup 1999/2000". BBC News. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        64. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2000/1". BBC News. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        65. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2001/2". BBC News. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        66. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2002/3". BBC News. 26 May 2003. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        67. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2003/4". BBC News. 1 February 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        68. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2004/5". BBC News. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        69. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2005/6". BBC News. 21 January 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        70. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2006/7". BBC News. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        71. ↑ "Cup Tables". BBC News. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        72. ↑ "Heineken Cup 2008/9". BBC News. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
        73. 1 2 3 4 5 "Heineken Cup tables". BBC News. 9 August 2006.
        74. ↑ "European Challenge Cup 1997/8". BBC News. 13 April 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
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