Rhys Litterick will move from Cardiff to Edinburgh on a two-year contract this summer. Image: © Craig Watson –
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EDINBURGH have announced the signing of two Scottish-qualified props, with Leicester Tigers loose-head James Whitcombe arriving in the Scottish capital this summer on a three-year deal and Cardiff Rugby tighthead Rhys Litterick agreeing terms on a two-year deal.
24-year-old Whitcombe qualifies for Scotland through his Falkirk-born grandmother. He has made 16 appearances including five starts for Tigers so far this season.
“I’m really looking forward to the move up north. It’s a fresh opportunity for me – a chance to challenge myself in a new environment, both on and off the pitch. Edinburgh’s a great city, and I’m excited to get stuck in and be part of the club,” said Whitcombe, who was capped by England at various age-grade levels, including against Scotland in the 2020 U20s Six Nations.
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“The chance to test myself in a new league, against different styles of rugby and international opposition, was a big draw. The URC is an exciting competition and I felt that Edinburgh was the right place for me to continue developing and push myself further.
“I want to help the club win trophies. That’s the goal. I want to contribute to a successful team and be part of something special in the Scottish capital.”
The other loose-head props definitely on Edinburgh’s books next season are Pierre Schoeman (who signed a three-year contract extension in December), Boan Venter (who is under contract until the summer of 2026) and academy prospect Jamie Stewart. The status of Robin Hislop and Mikey Jones is unknown.
Meanwhile, Litterick was initially linked with a move to Edinburgh back in November. The 26-year-old qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born grandfather. He has made 18 appearances, including seven starts, for Cardiff this season. He was reportedly on a “long-term contract” with the Welsh club, but the financial uncertainty which saw the Arms Park outfit fall into administration earlier this month (before the WRU stepped in with a short-term rescue package to keep the lights) will have helped clear any barriers to an early exit.
Litterick will compete for game-time next season against Paul Hill and Angus Williams (who both have a year left on their current contracts), D’Arcy Rae (who recently signed a two-year contract extension) and teenage academy prospect Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (who has been identified as a tight-head prop with a bright future). Javan Sebastian is in the second and final year of the deal he signed in 2023 and there has been no news yet of where he will be beyond the summer.
“I’m really looking forward to making the move to Edinburgh this summer. It’s a massive opportunity to grow both on and off the pitch in a new environment. Edinburgh is an amazing city with a lot to offer,” said Littrerick.
“It’s a huge club full of quality players who pride themselves on their set piece and physicality, which is something I want to be a part of and learn from. As a tighthead, I take a lot of pride in my set piece and working hard around the pitch.
“I want to keep improving as a player and learning as much as I can from the coaches and the boys around me. There’s a great setup in Edinburgh and I’m keen to take full advantage of that. Hopefully, I can contribute as much as I can to push for silverware.
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: “Securing a player of James’ quality on a long-term deal is a significant coup for the club. He is a highly-rated young prop with a fantastic pedigree, having come through a strong Leicester Tigers system and gained valuable experience in a very competitive Premiership environment.
“At just 24, James has already shown his capabilities at a high level, and we believe he has massive potential to become a key player for Edinburgh Rugby. He is a powerful presence in the front-row, both at the set-piece and around the park, and his desire to develop further aligns perfectly with our ambitions for the team.
Everitt added: “Rhys has shown impressive consistency in a quality Cardiff side this season, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Edinburgh.
“Tighthead is a position where there is often a lot of attrition, so bolstering our options with a prop of Rhys’s calibre is crucial for us. His age profile is also a significant asset, as he’s still young for the position at just 26.
“We believe he has the potential to be an important player for the club over the next two years, and we look forward to seeing him integrate into our squad this summer.”
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