Laidlaw signs deal to stay at Edinburgh until 2014

SCOTLAND scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, who narrowly missed a place in the World Cup squad, has signed a two-year contract extension with Edinburgh to keep him at the club until the summer of 2014.

Laidlaw was voted player of the season by his team-mates at the end of last term before being named captain ahead of his sixth campaign at the club.

The 25-year-old was included in Scotland’s provisional World Cup squad and featured in the warm-up win over Ireland last month, but was left behind after being beaten to a place by Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter and Rory Lawson, who have all captained the national team in recent years.

But Laidlaw believes his international prospects are best served playing for Edinburgh.

“One of the big pros for me as an individual is that I believe I can best push my case and promote my aspirations for Scotland selection by playing at Edinburgh,” he said.

“Being named as captain also played a big part in re-signing as it’s important to me and my own ambitions to be a leader.

“I’m a young captain so I think it will be good for me in the years to come.”

Laidlaw added: “There’s a lot of good feeling and exciting changes happening off the pitch while we’re about to start a new chapter under head coach Michael Bradley.

“There are a lot of good young players coming though the club and I think that, if we can build on their ability, we can progress as a club, improve our league position and build our crowd and support.”

Bradley believes Laidlaw’s leadership skills have shone through already this season.

Bradley said: “He leads by example and sets very high standards for himself and others; that is the critical element.”

Elsewhere in the RaboDirect league, Connacht have signed second-row Dave Gannon.

The forward, who had been training with Leinster, rejoined Connacht last month when a broken leg ruled Dave Nolan out for a large part of the season. The 28-year-old former Blackrock College and UCD student made 55 appearances for Connacht after joining in 2005 before moving to Air New Zealand Cup side Southland in 2009.

The six-foot six-inch forward spent a season with Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs in 2010 and it was during Exeter’s pre-season game against Connacht in Dubarry Park that head coach Eric Elwood caught up with him. He said: “Dave’s been brought in as cover for the injured Dave Nolan and we’re delighted to have a player of his calibre in the squad. He’s played here before so he’s been able to fit straight into the set-up and he gives us extra options.”

Gannon was capped by Ireland A in 2007 against the New Zealand Maori and England Saxons.