Highland fling gets even better for Kiwi with latest Edinburgh contract extension

Simon Berghan is the latest player to commit his future to Edinburgh after the prop put pen to paper on a two-year contract, keeping him in the Scottish capital until at least 2021.

Capped 17 times for Scotland, 28-year-old Berghan started at tighthead prop in last weekend’s Guinness Six Nations encounter against France.

On extending his stay at the club, Berghan, said: “I’m delighted to be extending my time with Edinburgh and I’m looking forward to contributing to the club going forward.

“I'm excited to be a part of this team and I believe there is still more to come from this great group of players."

Coach Richard Cockerill added: “Simon is an integral part of the squad and has been a consistent performer for both club and country for a number of seasons.

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“He brings a hard edge and strong level of physicality to this team, so we’re delighted that he’ll continue to represent this club in the years to come.”

The New Zealand-born, 18st, 6’3 prop joined Edinburgh from Canterbury-based Crusader Knights – the development squad of the Super Rugby side – in 2014 and immediately earned a reputation for his dominant scrummaging and physicality in the loose.

After solidifying his place in the capital side’s front row, Berghan was rewarded for his league form when he was named in the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of the 2017 Six Nations – a campaign in which he came off the bench in three Test games.

Berghan made his 50th Edinburgh appearance in the 2018/19 PRO14 season opener against Ospreys, while the front row scored his first try for the club in last month’s bonus-point win over Southern Kings at Murrayfield.

The prop has so far made 62 appearances for Edinburgh, while his selection against France – alongside Edinburgh front-row teammates Stuart McInally and Allan Dell – was his ninth start for Scotland in 17 matches played.