Rugby: Edinburgh’s first team is Turner prize

By BILL LOTHIAN
Published on 08/08/2012 12:00

George TURNER has set himself the challenge of following Kiwi scholarship colleagues Harry Leonard and Grant Gilchrist into the full Edinburgh Rugby line-up in the new season.

At 19-years-old, Stewart’s Melville prospect Turner is the youngest of the trio, and not even the recent acquisition of former England and Lions hooker Andy Titterrell has 
deflected him from his target.

Turner, aware that he will also be competing with Ross Ford and Alun Walker, said: “Steve Lawrie is injured just now and every team needs three fit hookers.

“Hopefully that will lead to me being given a chance maybe when Ross Ford is away with the Scotland lads.

“I want to get involved in a few match day squads with Edinburgh and show what I can do.

“Last season I came back from the New Zealand scholarship [Macphail scholarship] and played 10 games for Stew Mel before going off with Scotland under-20s [to a World Cup].

“I feel I have learned a lot in the past year and New Zealand was memorable for playing against, amongst others, (former All Blacks captain) Reuben Thorne while I was based at Burnside Bombers.

“This summer’s under-20 World Cup saw us receive a wake-up call against Australia before finishing strongly with wins over Italy and Samoa.

“I’m ready to go forward from there with another aim being to improve to gain a tier one of a full professional contract with Edinburgh.”