BEN TOOLIS has signed a contract extension with Edinburgh Rugby, ensuring he will remain at the club he has spent the past six years with.
The lock is currently on international duty with the Scotland squad ahead of the upcoming Six Nations and has so far made 119 appearances for the club and last season became the capital side’s 32nd centurion, playing his 100th game for Edinburgh in the 23-7 1872 Cup win over Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield in 2018.
Toolis, who joined the club’s academy in 2013 before going on-loan to London Irish for a season that year, played a pivotal role in last weekend’s European Challenge Cup win over Agen that saw the capital club secure a place in the last eight of the tournament.
“I'm delighted to have re-signed with Edinburgh Rugby,” the 27-year-old Australian-born forward said.
“It has become my home and, as is evident through our positive results in the league and in Europe, we are moving in a really exciting direction. The future is bright for this club.”
After coming through the club’s Elite Development Programme, Toolis made his debut from the bench away to Ulster in November 2013, before making his first start for the club against Zebre in April 2014.
Toolis saw significantly more game time during his second full season with the club, featuring in 23 total fixtures, while the lock scored his first try for the club in the European Challenge Cup Semi-Final final win over Dragons in April 2015.
The lock’s club form saw him pick up international accolades and after being named in the Scotland squad ahead of the 2015 Six Nations, he made his full international debut from the bench against Italy in March 2015. He was also in the starting fifteen of the Scotland team that defeated Australia in a famous win in 2017.
The lock has forged a solid second-row partnership with Scotland teammate Grant Gilchrist in recent years and head coach, Richard Cockerill, who has secured the signatures of a number of key players on extended contracts in recent weeks, is pleased to see another important player remain at the club.
“Ben is one of the most athletic locks in the league, while his ability and leadership at the lineout is key to the way we play,” the Englishman said.
“We’re delighted to see him re-sign and I’ve got no doubt that he’ll continue to be a big player for this club in the years to come.”
Edinburgh have another two-and-a-half weeks off as the Six Nations kicks into action before making their next competitive appearance on the 15th of February against Scarlets in the Pro14.
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