Blair Announces Edinburgh Exit

Mike BlairScotland scrum-half, Mike Blair, has admitted that he will be looking to leave Edinburgh Rugby at the end of the season, ending a decade-long spell at the club.

The 30-year old has been a crucial part of Edinburgh’s side since joining in 2002, racking up over 150 appearances for the club and helping them to a surprising place in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. The side are, however, outsiders for the win, at 14/1 in the rugby betting.

The former British and Irish Lion is nearing the end of his current deal in Edinburgh, prompting reports of a possible switch to either England or France in the summer. The scrum-half is still one of the best in his position in Europe, and will surely have a number of options coming his way over the next few months.

Blair has insisted he will remain fully focused at his current club during a critical stage in the season, with Heineken Cup glory now a very real possibility.

"I've enjoyed myself so much here, and feel I've achieved a lot, which has made this a very hard decision to make. The time is right for me personally to throw myself at a whole new challenge."

"I'm absolutely committed to Edinburgh Rugby until the end of the season and will do everything in my power to go out on a high."

Blair would love to finish his time at Edinburgh with a Heineken Cup winners' medal and the scrum half will be an essential part of the club's hopes of coming through their tough, yet winnable, clash against Ulster in Dublin, later this month. Edinburgh will walk out onto the pitch as underdogs, according to Betfair.

Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley admitted it was a blow to lose Blair, praising the 30-year old for his services to the club over the past decade.

"He's one of the most naturally gifted scrum-halves of this era with a fantastic eye for a break. He's been an incredible servant to Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland for a decade and we wish him all the best in the seasons ahead."

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