Gregor Townsend hails availability of Scotland-qualified duo but they must ‘earn the right’

Higgins, 23, will join the capital club next season and is ambitious to play for Scotland after making the decision to quit his native New Zealand.

He has impressed in Super Rugby with the Hurricanes and was called up to the All Blacks XV in the 2024-25 season, starting at inside centre in a 31-13 win over Georgia. But the path to the full All Blacks side remains blocked by world-class talent and Higgins has opted to head to Scotland.

His Ayrshire-born grandmother means he is eligible for Townsend’s squad but the national coach has warned that he will have to prove himself at Edinburgh first, and the same applies to Crusaders scrum-half Louie Chapman who will also move to the capital club from New Zealand next season.

Got to earn the right

“They're both quality players who have been involved in Super Rugby this year and previous seasons,” said Townsend. “The knowledge that they're coming over to Edinburgh is great. They’re two guys who are qualified to play for Scotland, but they've got to earn the right to get in the squad.”

Both centre and scrum-half are positions of strength for Scotland. Townsend’s midfield options include captain Sione Tuipulotu, fellow Lion Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall and Rory Hutchinson. The coach’s current scrum-halves are Ben White, George Horne and Jamie Dobie.

“The three nines in our squad all played at a high level throughout the Six Nations, with Jamie, obviously, starting on the wing,” added Townsend. “You've also got guys like Ali Price who have played really well this year [for Montpellier], who just missed out in selection [for the Nations Championship].

“It’s the same in the centre. We've got some quality depth there - players that missed out who could easily step in and play well for us. It'll be interesting to see how Louis and Riley go, but we know those are players at a high level who will now be available for us next year.”

Not a simple decision

The signing of Higgins, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, is a coup and the capital side described the deal as “one of the most significant pieces of recruitment in Edinburgh Rugby's recent history”.

Townsend added: “I think it's great news for Edinburgh and for Scotland. I chatted to him back in November when he was considering coming over and he was great to chat to. Obviously, it's not a simple decision when you're dual qualified.

“You get brought up in one country. It might be your parents are Scottish, or you moved out there younger, or it might be your grandparents, but you've still got that tie to another country. So I'm sure he had a lot of thought about it before he came here.

“Let's hope he has a really good run once he gets over this injury because there's definitely a player of real talent and potential there.”