Prop Alasdair Dickinson, whose name was recently added to the club’s centurion board when he reached 100 caps in last month’s European Cup win over FC Grenoble, has extended his contract by three years.
He said: “It was an easy decision for me to stay with Edinburgh. It was my first club, I feel at home here and I really believe in Alan, Stevie, Hodgey, Pete and the great coaching set-up we’ve got. Everything’s pretty positive.”
The 32-year-old loosehead, who hails from Dundee, first joined Edinburgh as an apprentice in 2004 and made 59 appearances for the club before moving to Gloucester in 2007. After four seasons there he signed for Sale Sharks before returning north of the border in summer 2013.
Of his decision to return he said: “There’s a special place in your heart for your first team – I went away to try to push myself out of my comfort zone and test myself in another environment, meet new players and coaches in a different league.
“Then I thought the time was right for me to come back and share my experiences with the players here to help push Edinburgh forward. We’re not exactly where we want to be yet but I want to help Scottish Rugby and help some of the youngsters coming through.
“Our run in the Challenge Cup last year was pretty good and we’ve had some remarkable wins. We have a great group of lads who work hard and are pretty humble.”
Dickinson earned his first Scotland cap when called up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup as injury replacement for his now-retired club-mate, Allan Jacobsen, and has now made 52 appearances, having reached his 50th cap, against South Africa, in this year’s Rugby World Cup.
In a career which has seen its share of highlights, Dickinson is clear that remaining with Edinburgh is added to that list.
He said: “It’s been great being able to work with Fordy and WP for the last few seasons – maybe us three in the front row are like fine wines, improving with age! We work together really well and there are good youngsters coming through which challenges us to keep improving.
“Really those are the best things; being back in your home club and enjoying rugby again, playing for the boys and playing for the club.”
Head coach Alan Solomons said: "It is fantastic news for the club that Dicko [Dickinson] has elected to stay with us for the next three years.
“He is a world class loosehead prop, who makes an invaluable contribution both on and off the field.
“From a personal perspective I am delighted to be able to continue to work with Dicko. He is a quality individual, great team man and an excellent role model for our young players."
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