Alan Solomons: New signing Jason Tovey can't face Dragons

Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons. Picture: SNS

The utility back has joined Edinburgh until the end of the season but won’t be making an immediate return to Rodney Parade to face the team he has represented more than 160 times.

“Part of the arrangement is that he won’t play on Sunday,” said Solomons.

Edinburgh announced a further two re-signings yesterday with young Scottish scrum-half duo Sean Kennedy and Nathan Fowles penning one-year contract extensions.

Kennedy, the 24-year old former Alloa, Stirling and Scotland Under-20 player, said: “I’m really enjoying it here, they’re a great bunch of boys and it’s a really good team atmosphere.

“Looking ahead to next season and the players we’re bringing in, I think we’re building a squad that’s good enough to go on and succeed and I want to be part of that. As a player group, over the last few years, we’ve worked hard to grow the team and build a strong culture. All the boys get on off the field, too, which really helps. I think you can see, especially in tough games, that a real team spirit shows through.”

Fowles, 22, joined Edinburgh from Sale Sharks on a three-month loan in February 2015, and made his debut off the bench against Cardiff the following month.

A product of Sale Sharks Academy, Fowles has gone on to make 17 appearances for Edinburgh and qualifies to play for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandfather.

Fowles said: “There’s something really building at the club. We’ve had our ups and downs this year – we’ve beaten some of the big sides – and our aim is still to get top six and I think we’re more than capable of doing that.

“It’s an exciting environment to be in, I get on really well with the boys, I’ve loved every minute I’ve played here and that made me want to stay with the club.”

Solomons added: “It is terrific news for the club that Sean has decided to stay on with us. He is a talented young Scottish player, who adds great value. He is an excellent team man and a pleasure to coach. Nathan has come on leaps and bounds over the past two seasons and I am delighted that he has decided to extend his stay with the club.”

Solomons believes Edinburgh need to win all five of their remaining Pro12 matches to secure their aim of a top-six finish and return to Champions Cup rugby, starting in south Wales this weekend.

“The Champions Cup is obviously the elite of Europe and one wants to compete against those teams. That competition promotes the development of players and the team,” said the coach, who will name his team for the game at noon today.