SCOTLAND hooker Ross Ford has re-signed for Edinburgh Rugby for three years, committing himself to the club until May 2019. The 31-year-old has played 97 times for Scotland as well as playing for the Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.

“I’ve enjoyed the last eight years with the club and that’s a big reason for staying,” Ford said. “I like the city, the atmosphere at the club and the group of players we’ve got together.

“Since Alan [Solomons’ the Edinburgh coach] came in, I feel he’s really done a lot of great work as we’re in a really good place at the moment. Last year’s Challenge Cup and our current league position are examples of that, as we’re still challenging for a top-four place. I respect Alan as a coach and think he’s good for the team. We’ve got a lot of talented young boys coming through the system, and the club has a long-term plan which I feel is really starting to come to fruition.”

The announcement means that Edinburgh have now secured their Scotland front row of Alasdair Dickinson, Ford and WP Nel for next season. Dickinson signed a new deal earlier this year, while Nel also recently agreed an extension of his contract.

Allan Dell and Simon Berghan, both props who qualify for Scotland, have also agreed new deals. Dell, 23, has signed on for another two years, having initially joined at the start of the 2014-15 season.

Berghan, 25, has signed for another year. He joined at the same time as Dell on a one-year contract, which was extended by another year at the end of last season.