Pringle named captain as 'Muir prepare to defend title

BOROUGHMUIR have turned to one of their most experienced players for leadership as they bid to retain the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership title next season.

Taking over the captaincy will be second row Fergus Pringle, 30, who joined the club last season from Edinburgh playing 21 games while also making occasional appearances at Magners Celtic League level including the away win at Ospreys as a top-four position was secured.

Indeed, such was Pringle's form that he propelled himself into the Scotland A squad for this summer's Barclay's Churchill Cup in North America. 'Muir president Stan Watt said: "Fergus has a charisma that singled him out as an obvious choice as captain."

South African-born Pringle has represented Edinburgh eight times at European Cup level and Watt added: "Even in a supporting role to last season's successful captain, Rory Couper, there was an outstanding presence from Fergus in the forwards and we look forward to drawing on his experience even more."

Meanwhile, former Edinburgh prop Craig Smith, capped 25 times by Scotland, has joined newly promoted French club, Racing Metro of Paris.