Nick De Luca and Ross Rennie sign new deals with Edinburgh Rugby

Back-row Rennie and outside-centre De Luca returned from the RBS 6 Nations to pen two-year deals at the club, keeping them in contract until 2014.

Their commitment is a welcome boost for head coach Michael Bradley and his team who prepare for two crucial matches at Murrayfield against Scarlets in the RaboDirect PRO12 this Friday followed by the Heineken Cup quarter-final with Toulouse on Easter Saturday.

The Irishman has now retained the services of 19 of the club’s top performers for the next two seasons, while the club have announced that Free State Cheetahs prop WP Nel and Northampton Saints back Greig Tonks are among the new faces set to run out in black and red next season.

Bradley said: “It’s fantastic news for Edinburgh Rugby that players of the calibre of Ross [Rennie] and Nick [De Luca] have committed these crucial years of their rugby careers to the club.

“They’ve played some tremendous rugby this season, showing the commitment, style and professionalism that we look to foster in all of our players here at Murrayfield.

“Both will play a key role in the bright future being pieced together at this club and I’m delighted that they’re here to stay.”

Dumfries-born De Luca, who grew up in Lockerbie, has been a pivotal player for Edinburgh Rugby since joining the club from Border Reivers in the summer of 2007.

He said: “I’m really enjoying my rugby in Edinburgh. Our progress in the Heineken Cup has made this season a real landmark for even the most experienced players.

“Despite these highlights it’s clear to all the players that we have opportunities to improve as individuals and as team, combining a committed group of players who are signing on to something special with exciting new arrivals in the seasons ahead.”

A knee injury meant that Rennie was absent from the international scene for two years after his 2008 debut against Ireland but he earned a recall for the 2010 EMC Autumn Tests, the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship and Rugby World Cup, where a series of spirited performances made the number seven shirt his own throughout the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.

Rennie said: “Having grown up in Edinburgh it means a lot to me to represent this club so I’m delighted to have extended my contract and to have secured the chance to play for the club I grew up supporting.

“Personally I’m in a good place just now. I’m happy with the way I’m playing for both the club and Scotland. I’ve made these developments as a player at this club and I’m confident that this is the right place for me to continue to improve.

“There’s definitely a different atmosphere around the club at the moment. There’s a lot of optimism about where we’re going and I’m looking forward to being a part of that future”.