Scotland star Greig Laidlaw rewarded with five-week rest

Edinburgh captain Greig Laidlaw is being given a sabbatical for the much of the rest of this season following a request from the Scotland team management.

The 28-year-old, who moves on from the capital club this summer to join Gloucester, will be rested for the next five weeks with the agreement of Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons.

The break will give the scrum-half, who captained Scotland in the games against England and Italy during the RBS 6 Nations, a spell of rest leading into the 2014-15 season.

Scottish Rugby director of rugby Scott Johnson said: “Greig [Laidlaw] has played a lot of rugby for both Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland this season and he’s been a key figure in our leadership group.

“His time at Edinburgh has meant a great deal to him and he will have the opportunity to play again for Edinburgh this season. With the schedule as it stands looking ahead over the next 16 to 18 months, we’re grateful to Edinburgh for supporting this move.”

Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons said: “The performance of the national team is of the utmost importance to the whole of Scottish Rugby, and this is will be a big year for Greig.

“He has been a long-standing servant of this club and we are happy to support him and Scottish Rugby in this regard.”

Edinburgh are well covered for their captain’s absence, with Scotland A duo Grayson Hart, 25, and Sean Kennedy, 22, as well as Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 20, as the club looks forward to the seasons ahead.

Solomons added: “Solomons added: “We have very capable, young Scottish scrum-halves who will compete for the number nine shirt next season, and will continue to get the opportunities they have handled admirably in Greig’s absence during the RBS 6 Nations.”

Scotland star Greig Laidlaw rewarded with five-week rest