Edinburgh select 'world class' Blair Kinghorn despite rumours of imminent departure

Sean Everitt is braced for the likelihood of Edinburgh losing “world class” Blair Kinghorn to Toulouse in the weeks ahead but he expects maximum commitment from the full-back in Friday’s United Rugby Championship match at home to Benetton.

The Top 14 champions are closing in on a deal to secure the mid-season signing of the 26-year-old Scotland international as a replacement for Toulon-bound Melvyn Jaminet.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, Kinghorn has been named to start in the Edinburgh team to face Benetton on Friday night.

“There has been a lot of speculation about Blair’s move to France, which we are aware of, and there are negotiations taking place but there’s nothing formal yet,” said head coach Everitt.

“We’d like to have a final answer in the near future because it impacts on how we play the game and the depth we have in the squad. At the end of the day, a decision will be made that suits all three parties: the individual, Edinburgh and Scottish rugby.

“I’ve just been focusing on preparing the team. The ins and outs of the negotiation that have been taking place are just going to distract me from the job at hand so I’ll leave that up to the hierarchy to make the right decision with the player and I’m sure I’ll be consulted at some stage with regard to that.”

It is not beyond possibility that Friday’s match could be Kinghorn’s last home outing for his boyhood club, but Everitt is confident the full-back will handle the situation professionally and help Edinburgh maintain their strong start after winning four of their opening five league matches.

“It probably is distracting for him during the week but this is not something that will have come up overnight or over the last few days,” he said. “These talks and rumours might have happened a couple of weeks back and he’s still performed.

“Being a professional, we have to trust that his mind’s on the job at hand, which is to play rugby and play as best he can against Benetton and Ulster (away next Saturday).

“I don’t doubt his commitment to the club. He’s been here for nine years, he’s been a standout player for the club, and he’s extremely popular at Edinburgh so I don’t think he would put himself first and let the people down who have supported him throughout his career.”

Everitt admits Kinghorn’s impending departure will leave a void but he is confident Edinburgh have enough quality to cope. “Blair is a world-class player and can be the best in his position in the world,” he said. “To replace a player of that quality is always going to be difficult. But we have youngsters in that position who have been waiting in the wings to get an opportunity.

“We’ve also got (Argentina international) Emiliano Boffelli, who will be returning from injury, which will still give us an international back three (alongside Scotland wings Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe).

“There are not many franchises around the world that can boast four international back-three players so I think we are healthy in that department.”

Everitt has picked a starting XV for Friday’s match featuring 10 of Scotland’s recent World Cup squad. One of those is Scots captain Jamie Ritchie, who makes his 100th appearance for Edinburgh, while Ali Price makes his first start after his recent loan transfer from Glasgow.