Matt Scott puts law career on hold after earning new Edinburgh deal

EDINBURGH centre Matt Scott is ready to put his legal career on hold after signing a two-year contract extension to continue playing professional rugby.

The 21-year-old law student, who signed an elite development contract in the summer after impressing with Currie and in the Scotland youth ranks, is now tied to the club until 2014.

Alongside his fledgling professional rugby career Scott has managed his final year at the University of Edinburgh where he expects to graduate this year.

Expressing his delight at extending his contract with the club and thanking head coach Michael Bradley for affording him the opportunity, he said: “At times it’s been challenging to manage my studies, training and playing, but this is evidence that the hard work is paying off.

“I’m really looking forward to finishing my degree and focusing all my energy on being a professional rugby player.

“Michael [Bradley] has shown a lot of faith in me this season. It’s good to know that my performances have merited a lot of game time and this new contract which will allow me to pursue my dreams at the club I’ve grown up supporting.”

Scott, who made his competitive debut against Cardiff last September, has grabbed tries against RaboDirect Pro12 champions Munster and Heineken Cup champions Leinster and Bradley believed that Scott’s sin-binning against Glasgow in the 1872 Cup defeat at Firhill on New Year’s Day was a turning point in the game.

News of Scott’s contract extension comes as a timely boost with Pool 2 leaders Edinburgh preparing for their final two group games in the Heineken Cup, against Racing Metro in Paris on Friday and London Irish at Murrayfield the following weekend.

Bradley said: “It’s fantastic for the club to have bright young players like Matt committing to the club.

“He took full advantage of the opportunity offered to our younger players when the internationalists were in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup and has worked hard to keep his place in the squad since their return.

“He’s an Edinburgh boy through and through so I know that it means a lot to him to get this deal and I’m sure he’ll prove to be an asset to the club in the years to come.”

Scott is the latest player to commit his future to Edinburgh, following on from the contract extensions of scrum-half and captain, Greig Laidlaw, stand-offs Harry Leonard and Gregor Hunter and forwards David Denton, Stuart McInally, Sean Cox and Steven Turnbull.

Edinburgh chief executive, Craig Docherty added: “Today’s announcement is the latest step towards moulding a bright and competitive future for Edinburgh Rugby.”

Meanwhile, Edinburgh have cut student ticket prices for the club’s final Heineken Cup match against London Irish (22 January, kick-off 3.15pm).

Anyone with a matriculation card can see the tie for £5, by showing the card when buying a ticket.

Scott welcomed the move to boost the crowd for the big match. He said: “Our last pool match against London Irish could make or break our involvement in the knockout rounds of European Cup competition so we need every available supporter in the city and beyond to will us on from the seats and the standing areas.

“We’ve had fantastic crowds at our Heineken Cup matches so far, particularly the game against Racing Metro, so hopefully we’ll be able to top that with this offer.”