Rugby: Bradley hope for clubs’ late developers

By BILL LOTHIAN
Published on 25/09/2012 12:00

Edinburgh RUGBY coach Michael Bradley is taking extra steps to ensure that no late developers in the Premiership are overlooked for pro contracts.

The question of what to do about players too old for Scotland under-20s but whose best years may lie ahead has arisen after a series of outstanding individual performances in the Premiership.

Some, like Dougie Fife, Sep Visser and Robin Hislop, have been involved with Edinburgh as well as clubs and Bradley is keen to strengthen links.

“There is constant contact 
between clubs and ourselves,” he said. “Club coaches in particular are a good source of information in terms of asking ‘have you considered this guy’ and so on. We are creating an outer panel delving into club land.”

He added that academy manager Bryan Easson does a good job in terms of scouting Premiership talent for Edinburgh.

With Glasgow’s Chris Cusiter ruled out until December, Edinburgh agreed to transfer youth signing Sean Kennedy and Bradley feels such situations can be eased through developing club talent.