Edinburgh Rugby wing Jake Henry today penned a new two-year extension in the capital – a deal which will see the 23-year-old speedster join Championship side Coventry Rugby on a season-long loan for 2024/25.
Henry made his long-awaited first appearance for Edinburgh in a try scoring debut against DHL Stormers at Cape Town Stadium earlier this season.
The former MacPhail scholar made his first run-out for the capital after a torrid time with injuries, coming back from multiple long-term issues to become the 1331st player to represent the club.
The winger has gone on to make five appearances in the capital back-three, including an EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 triumph against Aviron Bayonnais, and most recently in Saturday’s match against Benetton Rugby.
Part of Henry’s new deal will see him join English Championship high-flyers Coventry, giving the young winger valuable, regular game time after a four-year spell hampered by injuries.
The new contract completes a busy month of back-three business in the capital, with Player’s Player of the Season Wes Goosen penning a new deal, while Scottish qualified duo of Nathan Sweeney and GB Sevens winger Ross McCann also committed their futures to the capital.
The quartet is confirmed alongside Scottish international back-three players Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe and Harry Paterson, as well as Argentine star Emiliano Boffelli.
On his new deal, Henry said: I’m really happy to be staying with Edinburgh. Being involved at the end of this season has given me huge confidences in myself and my body after a tough start to the year.
“I’m also excited to head down to Coventry. I’ve only heard good things from the boys that have been there before so looking forward to it.”
Jake started his rugby journey at Highland Rugby Club, before featuring before being named in the Scotland squad for the 2020 U20 Six Nations, where he featured against England and Ireland.
The winger then joined the Edinburgh Rugby pro-academy, however a knee injury in training disrupted his early time at the club.
He was later aligned to the Southern Knights in then FOSROC Super6, where outstanding appearances caught the eyes of the Scotland 7s programme.
Henry entered the spotlight in the summer of 2022, when he was selected to play for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he scored a try against Tonga and a hat-trick against Malaysia.
His injury luck turned once again after the Games, however, when another knee injury sidelined the winger for over a year.
During this time, Henry developed his skills as an artist to keep his mind active through rehab, designing custom boots for himself and other rugby players, including Scotland International Adam Hastings.
Henry’s road to the Edinburgh jersey has been one requiring immense fortitude in the face of injury nightmares, ultimately earning him his eventual debut in Cape Town after four years with the club.
On Henry’s new deal, Head Coach Sean Everitt added: “Jake has shown a huge amount of character to get himself into the Edinburgh side. He showed his potential in the matches away against the Stormers and Sharks, taking his try well in Cape Town under huge pressure.
“The move to Coventry is a great opportunity for him, and a chance to play at a great club in a highly competitive and physical league.”
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First African Nation that Hosted the FIFA World Cup: In 2010, South Africa was the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup, and what an event it was! The Inter Press Service team agrees with Tim that it was one of the best FIA World Cup seasons that the world has witnessed. The event was so colorful that the fun was increased multiple times. They also used vuvuzelas, making the event more fun to look at.
Blade
Sport Trivia: Who was the first black player to represent South Africa in rugby? Answer: Errol Tobias made his debut for South Africa on 30th May 1981, against Ireland at Newlands. South Africa won the match 23-15. He went on to win six caps between 1981 and 1984.