Charlie McCaig has joined Edinburgh from Exeter Chiefs on a two-year deal. Image: Exeter Chiefs 
EDINBURGH have signed two more Scottish qualified youngsters in the shape of 22-year-old centre Charlie McCaig from Exeter Chiefs and also 22-year-old loosehead Ben White from Melrose RFC.
McCaig, who qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, has joined the senior squad on a two-year deal, while will link up with the capital side’s pro-academy on a one-year deal.
McCaig initially started playing rugby as a six-year-old at Sidmouth RFC before being signed up to the Chiefs’ Developing Player Programme (DPP). He has combined his rugby with studying for a degree in Liberal Arts and in 2022 he was part of the highly successful University of Exeter 1st XV which lifted the BUCS title with victory over Durham at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium.
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McCaig has been on loan at English Championship side Cornish Pirates this current campaign, scoring three tries in 19 matches. The centre also made his Chiefs debut this season, coming off the bench against Cornish Pirates in round five of the Premiership Cup.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to move to Scotland’s capital and contribute what I can to the team,” said McCaig. “Edinburgh has always felt like a home away from home, especially with my family living nearby in Fife.
“The club has a clear identity, and the city’s passion for rugby makes it an exciting place to start afresh and make my mark. I’m looking forward to meeting the team, contributing on and off the pitch, and helping push for success and silverware.
“After speaking with Sean [Everitt], it’s clear that our rugby philosophies are closely aligned, which gives me real confidence in what I can offer the team.
“The opportunity to pull on the jersey and run out in front of a full home crowd at Hive Stadium is a huge source of motivation for me. It’s what will push me through the offseason and into preseason, as I work towards making a strong impact from the very start of the campaign.”
White’s started out at Biggar RFC. He then moved to his high school’s club Peebles before returning to Biggar, and then played at Melrose this season. In early 2024 he spent five months immersed in South Africa’s renowned rugby culture at the high-performance training facility at Stellenbosch University as one of three up-and-coming players awarded that year’s Macphail Scholarship.. He has represented Scotland at both U17, U18 and U20 levels, including at last summer during their World Rugby U20 Trophy win.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity Edinburgh have given me,” said White. “I’m excited to get going and build good connections with the boys and with the coaches but more importantly really push on with my development as a player to see how far I can go. Stepping into a pro-environment will be a real step up but it’s where I want to be.
“I want to focus on being a more dominant individual on the field and use all the tools and expertise that Edinburgh rugby can provide to further improve my core skills such as scrummaging.”
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt said: “We are thrilled to welcome both Charlie and Ben to Edinburgh Rugby. Both players have had impressive journeys in rugby so far, demonstrating dedication and a real commitment to their development.
“Charlie will be a fine addition to our senior squad, bringing a strong skill set and a hunger to succeed, while Ben’s inclusion in our pro-academy will add further strength and depth for the future. We look forward to welcoming both players to the club this summer.”
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