Edinburgh Rugby announce nine are to leave the club

Simon Hickey, John Barclay, Matt Scott and Dougie Fife among the departures

Simon Hickey is leaving Edinburgh after two seasons.

Edinburgh Rugby have confirmed nine members of the squad will leave the club at the end of the 2019-20 season, including former Scotland captain John Barclay.

As well as international centre Matt Scott, who has sealed a move to Leicester Tigers, former Glasgow flanker Barclay, whose departure was confirmed by head coach Richard Cockerill last week, departs after his return north was affected by serious injury.

A ruptured Achilles wrecked most of the first year of his two-year deal. He made 14 appearances for Edinburgh.

John Barclay's departure has been confirmed by Edinburgh.

Club centurion Dougie Fife is another who moves on at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. The back-three specialist – who returned to Edinburgh in 2017 following a season with Scotland Sevens – made 125 appearances for the capital side.

Stand-off Simon Hickey leaves following two seasons in Edinburgh. The New Zealander joined the club from Bordeaux-Bègles in 2018.

Hooker Cammy Fenton is another who departs at the end of his current deal.

Second-row duo Stan South and Sam Thomson also leave at the end of the current campaign.

South joined on a short-term loan in February and returns to Exeter Chiefs having made just one appearance.

Jason Baggott and Pietro Ceccarelli complete the departures announced on Thursday.

Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill said: “This period of the season is never easy for players – even more so in these unusual times – but all move on with our upmost respect for their hard work and commitment during their time at Edinburgh.

“These guys all leave having given their all to the club and that’s all we can ever ask. It’s been a pleasure to coach them and we thank them for their professionalism and attitude.

“We wish all our leavers the best of luck in their future ambitions.”

Edinburgh Rugby 2019-20 leavers

Matt Scott – 39 Scotland caps; 94 appearances; 21 tries

John Barclay – 76 Scotland caps; 14 appearances; 1 try

Dougie Fife – 8 Scotland caps; 125 appearances; 27 tries

Simon Hickey – 34 appearances; 186 points

Cammy Fenton – 19 appearances; 4 tries

Pietro Ceccarelli – 24 appearances

Jason Baggott – 1 appearance; 2 points

Sam Thomson – 8 appearances

Stan South – 1 appearance

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director