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Stuart McInally signs new long-term contract

29 Jan 2020

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Club captain Stuart McInally has committed his future to Edinburgh by signing a new long-term deal with his hometown team.

Scotland international McInally, who has made 142 appearances for the club, said: “I’m really pleased to have extended my stay at Edinburgh.

“The make-up of the squad, from players, strength and condition, medical and coaches is as strong as it’s been during my time here and I’m excited to be part of an ambitious group moving forward.

“Rugby-wise, I believe this is the best place for me to play and improve to become the best player I can.

“From an off-field perspective, I have a brilliant support team here in Edinburgh and their help in developing my next career as a commercial airline pilot is invaluable.”

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Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill added: “Stuart is an Edinburgh man who loves representing his hometown club.

“Whether it’s in a match, meeting or training, he leads by example. That leadership and captaincy is vital to this club and it shows in the respect he commands across the squad.

“We’re delighted that Stuart has re-signed on a long-term deal. He’s another local, Scottish international player who wants to represent this city.”

McInally became a regular in the capital club’s back-row during his second full season in professional rugby, featuring in 15 total fixtures, while he grabbed his first try for the club in a 19-20 European away win over London Irish in November 2011.

After switching from back-row to hooker in 2013 – a period that saw McInally join Bristol on a shot-term loan in 2014 – he returned to the capital to make his Edinburgh Rugby front-row debut against Ospreys in March 2015.

‘What is blatantly clear is that Scottish Rugby cannot allow this to fester any further. CEO Mark Dodson is being paid nearly £18,000 a week and he ought to take responsibility for bringing about an amicable resolution,’ writes @JLyall93 https://t.co/3GY7ClKRgW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 28, 2020

Subsequently, McInally was named in the Scotland squad ahead of the 2015 Summer Tests and made his international debut against Italy in Turin. The hooker went on to be named in the national team’s squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but injury prevented him from taking part.

On the club front, McInally made his 100th Edinburgh Rugby appearance against Connacht in April 2017, before enjoying a stellar campaign in 2017/18 as Head Coach Richard Cockerill took the reins in the capital.

In a breakout year, McInally led his hometown club to the Guinness PRO14 Final Series for the first time in its history, while he started all but one of Scotland’s games in both the Six Nations and Autumn Tests, scoring three tries against Samoa (2) and Australia.

McInally was voted as the club’s Player of the Year following 2017/18 and was named as Scotland captain for the national side’s Summer Tour to North America.

With no Greig Laidlaw, John Barclay, Tommy Seymour or Finn Russell, it will be a new-look Scotland in the Six Nations.https://t.co/BcFVChnWNq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 27, 2020

Named as club captain to begin the 2018/19 season – a year in which Edinburgh returned to the Champions Cup for the first time in five years – McInally skippered the capital side to memorable wins over RC Toulon, Newcastle Falcons and Montpellier as Edinburgh reached the Quarter-Final stages of the tournament.

The hooker continued as Scotland captain for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and featured in all four pool fixtures against Ireland, Samoa, Russia and Japan.

Cockerill once again named McInally as Edinburgh Rugby club captain ahead of the 2019/20 season and the hooker returned to action to help the capital club secure their first win against Munster in Cork since 2004.

After starting in Edinburgh’s 29-19 bonus-point second leg win over Glasgow Warriors in December 2019, McInally was named in Scotland’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍