Edinburgh Rugby have agreed to rest captain Greig Laidlaw for five weeks, following a request from the Scotland national team.
The five-week break is intended to front-end the coming 2014/15 season with an appropriate amount of rest, going into a crucial, 12-month competitive campaign that starts with Scotland’s 2014 four Test summer tour and culminates in the Rugby World Cup the following year.
Scottish Rugby director rugby, Scott Johnson said: “Greig [Laidlaw] has played a lot of rugby for both Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland this season and he’s been a key figure in our leadership group.
“With the schedule as it stands looking ahead over the next 16 to 18 months, we’re grateful to Edinburgh for supporting this move.”
The extended rest period keeps the door open for Scotland A capped pair Grayson Hart (25) and Sean Kennedy (22), and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (20), as the club looks forward to the seasons ahead.
Fife set to miss the rest of the season
Edinburgh wing Dougie Fife has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hand injury.
The 23 year-old sustained ligament damage to his thumb during the club’s 9-3 loss to Ulster at Murrayfield Stadium last Friday in what was his 20th start in as many appearances for the side this season.
Following a specialist consultation, Fife had corrective surgery on his hand on Monday and is expected to be out of action for the next two months.
Glasgow hookers sign new contracts
Glasgow Warriors hookers Fraser Brown and Kevin Bryce have both signed new two-year contracts meaning they will be staying at the club until at least May 2016. Both signed their first permanent deals last summer, with Brown going on to be capped for Scotland and both players earning Scotland A caps earlier this year, with Brown in particular impressing.
He was called up as an injury replacement to Scotland’s 2013 summer tour to South Africa and made his debut in the victory over Italy.