EDINBURGH RUGBY second row Grant Gilchrist has signed a new two-year contract, the Pro 12 club have announced.

The Scotland international lock has committed to the capital side until 2019 after being named as co-captain alongside Stuart McInally at the beginning of the season.

Gilchrist has made 95 appearances during his seven years with Edinburgh and picked up 16 international caps in that time. 

“I’m absolutely delighted to re-sign with Edinburgh Rugby," he said to edinburghrugby.org.

“Admittedly it’s been a tough year and we’re disappointed with recent results but I’m looking forward to helping the club move forward. I’m excited to see what this group can produce over the next few seasons.

“I’m desperate for this club to be successful and I believe we will achieve what we want to in the next few years.

 “If you look across the board we’ve got competition for places and every week people are going to be battling for their spot.

“The contest for a place in the second-row has been really good for me as I feel it’s making me a better player and I hope that I’m making the other locks better too.”

Edinburgh Acting Head Coach Duncan Hodge, who will be replaced by Richard Cockerill at the end of the season, added: "It’s great to have Grant, another experienced internationalist, commit to the club for the coming seasons.

“He’s a quality operator around the park and at set-piece, and is a natural leader in a young squad. His presence is one valued by the staff and players.

“He’s had an unfortunate run with injuries over the last few seasons but it’s great to see him back and battling for his spot in a competitive second-row.”