Dougie Fife among eight players set to leave Edinburgh

Edinburgh yesterday revealed that a further eight players are to leave BT Murrayfield at the end of the season.

Scotland internationalist Dougie Fife is leaving Murrayfield. Picture: Bill Murray/SNS

The most high-profile of the announcements was the release of Scotland internationalist Dougie Fife and the news that second row Alex Toolis is returning to Australia to take up an opprtunity in Super Rugby.

Capped full-back Jack Cuthbert, wing Otulea Katoa, utility back Nick McLennan, prop Grant Shiells, centre Andries Strauss and stand-off Jade Te Rure will all be moving on too.

They add to a list of players leaving or already left this season that already includes back row David Denton (Bath), Greig Tonks (London Irish), Matt Scott (Gloucester), Sam Beard (Dragons), Mike Coman (London Irish) and John Andress (Munster).

Fife has represented his hometown club on 81 occasions and been capped six times by Scotland. He scored against France in Paris during last year’s Six Nations but the 25-year-old has been in and out of the Edinburgh team this season and had spells with the national sevens squad.

The Edinburgh media release said that the winger/full-back, is “anticipating a new challenge”.

Toolis, whose twin brother Ben has extended his stay at Edinburgh, made 24 appearances for the club. Te Rure initially joined Edinburgh for a trial period in 2014 from Manawatu and is heading home to New Zealand.

Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons said: “Everyone associated with the club would like to wish all the players the very best for the future and thank them for their loyalty and commitment to the black and red over the years.”