Dougie Fife wins contract with Edinburgh until 2015

Edinburgh back Dougie Fife has signed a new deal with the pro team that will tie him to 
the Murrayfield outfit until the summer of 2015.

The versatile 22-year-old has provided capable cover for regulars like Tim Visser, Lee Jones, Nick de Luca and Tom Brown across a number of roles since graduating from the 
Murrayfield side’s youth ranks last February.

He has gone on to make 15 appearances for Michael Bradley’s team and chipped in with four tries, which was enough to convince the head coach to offer the Edinburgh-born Scotland A cap a new two-and-a-half-year contract. “As a local boy I used to come to the games as a fan and was even ball boy at a couple of games, so to get this chance as a fully contracted player is a dream come true, and gives me the confidence to push on to 
the next stage in my career,” Fife said yesterday.

“At the start of the season I didn’t imagine I’d be involved as much as I have been, but I’ve managed to get my foot in the door and keep it there with a few good performances. I’ve been involved in some massive games, the derby against Glasgow Warriors and in the Heineken Cup, with each game seeming like it’s the biggest game of my career. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“It was my goal at the start of the season to get a number of games and secure this contract extension, so I need to set some new targets, keep working hard and push for more chances to start for Edinburgh Rugby.”

Meanwhile, two of Scotland’s highly-rated club hookers have joined up with Glasgow this week, while a Welsh front-rower has also signed a short-term deal at Scotstoun.

With Doug Hall and Pat MacArthur on Scotland duty and Finlay Gillies and Fergus Scott both out injured, head coach Gregor Townsend has moved to bring in the three hookers to fill the gap in the Warriors roster.

Fraser Brown and Kevin Bryce, both from Heriot’s, will join Gerwyn Price, who has been on the radar of the Welsh regions and currently plays his rugby with Cross Keys. The 27-year-old played hooker for Neath for five years before helping Keys to the final of the British and Irish Cup last season.

“Fraser Brown and Kevin Bryce have been impressive for Heriot’s this year and Gerwyn has long been spoken of as someone with the ability to play professional rugby,” said Townsend. “We find ourselves in an unusual situation with all four of our hookers out of action but I’ve no doubt we have secured quality replacements in Gerwyn, Fraser and Kevin.”