Grant Gilchrist and Ben Vellacott will continue as Edinburgh Rugby co-captains for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
The duo will once again share the captain’s armband, starting with Friday night’s unmissable URC opener against Leinster.
Double-centurion Gilchrist is one of Edinburgh Rugby’s most experienced players, having already co-captained the club in five separate seasons (16/17, 20/21, 21/22, 22/23, 23/24), with the upcoming 2024/25 campaign his sixth in a leadership role after coming through the ranks at Alloa Rugby Club and Stirling County.
The one-club man made his 200th appearance against Hollywoodbets Sharks last season – becoming only the fourth player in club history to do so – and is now preparing for his 14th season in professional rugby with his boyhood team.
Gilchrist said: “Edinburgh has been more than just a club to me; it’s been a second home. I’ve grown as a player and as a person here, and I’m incredibly proud to continue representing this city and co-captaining this great team.
“To lead this talented squad alongside Ben [Vellacott] is a privilege. We’ve got a great group of players and a fantastic support base, and I can’t wait to get started at Hive Stadium this weekend.
“Kicking off against Leinster on Friday night is going to be a massive occasion, and we’re all looking forward to pulling on the jersey once again and getting the new season underway.”
Scrum-half Vellacott enters his fourth season in the Scottish capital having joined from Wasps ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
An electric playmaker who made his Scotland debut against Italy in 2022, the fan-favourite made his 50th appearance against Scarlets in last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash.
Vellacott added: “Edinburgh has become home for me and my family, and I’m so proud to continue representing this fantastic club as co-captain in 2024/25.
“Co-captaining alongside Grant [Gilchrist] is a huge honour and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together this season. Grant’s leadership qualities are invaluable and I was fortunate to lean on him last year.
“The environment within the team is brilliant and we’re all working hard to create a winning culture. We’ve got a talented squad and a great support base, and we’re in a great place as a club to hit new heights this coming campaign.”
Head Coach Sean Everitt added: “I’m delighted to once again appoint Grant and Ben as co-captains for the new campaign.
“Their leadership qualities complement each other perfectly. They are the right men to continue leading this club.
“They have the respect of the full squad and are integral to creating a positive and winning culture. We’re excited to see what they can achieve together, starting with Leinster this Friday night.”
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Although there are 31 countries that play cricket in the international stage, only 12 have qualified for Test status. The first countries to acquire this status are England and Australia (1877) and the latest is Afghanistan (2018).
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Sport Trivia: Who was the first SA cricketer to take a hat trick in Test cricket? Answer: Geoff Griffin in the second test match against England at Lords in June 1960 — he dismissed Mike Smith, caught by the wicket-keeper, then bowled Peter Walker and Freddy Trueman. England went on to win the game by an innings and 73 runs. He never played another test match after that, due to his continually being called no-ball for alleged throwing.