Dundee HSFP’s Richie McIver will train with Edinburgh and provide back row cover for the remainder of the season.
The Mayfield favourite, last year’s RBS Premiership Player of the Year, has been called up by Edinburgh co-coaches Stevie Scott and Duncan Hodge.
Having helped High to second place last season, the 6ft 5in, 18 stone No 8 was a key figure for them in the British and Irish Cup this season, attracting interest from pro clubs down south.
Interim head coach Scott said: “We keep tabs on a lot of Scottish Premiership players and, after winning the player of the season award last year, have been well aware of Richie’s potential.
“He’s backed that up with consistently good performances for Dundee this season and so has merited the opportunity to train at Murrayfield and allow us to have a closer look at him for the rest of the season.”
McIver came to Mayfield from from Caledonia regional division two side, Harris Academy FP three years ago after being scouted by High coach Ian Rankin.
“The guys call him ‘the Specimen’ for a reason,” said the coach of the 25-year-old. He’s got a few raw edges to work on but his presence as a ball carrier is outstanding.
“He’s been interesting some of the clubs we’ve played in the British and Irish club but it hasn’t been until Stevie and Hodgey came into Edinburgh that there’s been the opportunity for club guys to go train with them on a regular basis, and they’ve moved for Richie pretty rapidly.
“Part of our remit in the club game is to help the professional sides by identifying the late developers who don’t get into the age group system, and Richie is a great example of that.”
McIver’s availability for Dundee’s play-off against Hawick later this month is unaffected.