Edinburgh sign centre Alex Grove on loan deal

EDINBURGH have bolstered their back division with the signing of Scotland centre Alex Grove on a year's loan deal from Worcester.

The English club were relegated this season from the Guinness Premiership and while the 22-year-old was known not to be keen to jump ship at the first opportunity, and was tied by being halfway through a two-year contract, it is likely that he was also acutely aware that a season in the English Championship would not enhance his prospects of a return to the Scotland team in the season leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Scotsman understands that he has agreed to come north for a year and return to Worcester after the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, or immediately before it should he not force his way into Andy Robinson's plans.

Grove, who qualifies through his Glasgow-born grandfather Ron Wylie – a former football player and manager – declined to comment on the move, insisting that details were still being ironed out. However, he is expected to join up with the Edinburgh squad when he returns from Scotland's tour to Argentina.

He was preferred for that tour over Ben Cairns, who will now be a direct rival within the Edinburgh camp. Cairns has been selected for the Scotland A tour to Romania, having also played a key role alongside newcomer Grove in steering the Scots to the IRB Nations Cup.

Grove impressed Robinson with his powerful running, pace, handling and attitude, and was duly handed his full international debt against Fiji in November. He went on to play against Australia and Argentina, filling both the No 12 and 13 jerseys across the autumn series, but was dropped as Max Evans returned to fitness.