Edinburgh Rugby sign Tom Heathcote from Bath

EDINBURGH Rugby have confirmed the signing of Scotland stand-off Tom Heathcote, from Bath Rugby.

The Inverness-born Heathcote has signed a one-year deal, keeping him in the capital until 2015.

The 22-year-old won his first cap as a replacement in the 2012 EMC test against Tonga at Pittodrie, and was selected in Scotland’s 2013 RBS Six Nations squad.

He started at stand-off for Scotland A, kicking eight points in a 13-9 victory over England Saxons in the Scots’ first win on English soil.

Heathcote then started two matches in the summer quadrangular tournament against Samoa and Italy.

He said: “I’m really excited about joining Edinburgh Rugby, to play for them in the PRO12 and European Rugby Challenge Cup, and to play where I want to be internationally.

“All in all I’m really looking forward to getting there and getting started.

“I’ve followed the club quite closely for a number of seasons and have seen the improvements made this year. I think it’s a club that’s in a good position to push on.

“Alan Solomons [head coach] has a really strong vision for the future. There’s a lot of good young players that are expected to develop under him, which I think will take the club from strength to strength over the next few years.”

Solomons added: “It’s very pleasing to announce the signing of another quality, young – and in this case, experienced – Scottish player to our senior squad.

“Tom joins us with three seasons’ experience in the English Premiership so I expect him to make a valuable contribution straight away.

“His arrival will certainly intensify the competition for places at pivot while, at just 22, he also fits well with our increasingly promising group of young Scots coming through at the club.

“It all bodes very well for the future of Edinburgh Rugby.”

Heathcote joined Bath’s academy from school, making his first-team debut in 2011.

He has amassed 257 points in 41 Premiership and European Cup matches, and was shortlisted for the 2013 LV= Breakthrough Player Award.

Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/01/international-rugby-board-facing-a-tmo-problem-that-will-not-go-away

Edinburgh Rugby sign Tom Heathcote from Bath