Ali Price: Scotland scrum-half joins Edinburgh on loan from Glasgow Warriors 'in national interest'
- Published
Ali Price played for Scotland at this year's World Cup finals
Scotland scrum-half Ali Price has joined Edinburgh on a season-long loan that Glasgow Warriors say they agreed to "in the national interest".
Edinburgh senior coach Sean Everitt told his club website a hip injury that has sidelined Scott Steele was "also a factor" in the surprise switch.
The 30-year-old Price should enjoy more game time with his new side.
And he said: "This is a new challenge that I look forward to seeing where it can lead."
Price, capped 66 times for Scotland and a British & Irish Lion in 2021, will join Edinburgh's squad on Monday and could make his debut in next Friday's home match against Bulls.
He has spent nine years at Scotstoun, but his parent club say they agreed to the loan following an approach from "the Scotland National Team and Edinburgh".
"Price felt this was an opportunity that would be beneficial for his own personal development," they said.
"The club has agreed, considering this factor, the move being in the national interest, and the timing of the proposal meaning Price can move straight into Edinburgh following his post-Rugby World Cup break and the subsequent return to play protocols he has been managing for a groin injury."
Everitt is delighted to add a player who has made 130 Warriors appearances.
"Ali has been one of Glasgow Warriors' most consistent performers in nearly a decade of rugby at Scotstoun - we appreciate their help in getting this move over the line," Everitt said.
"Ali is a Test Lion and brings to the club a wealth of experience at the very top level of international rugby. I'm sure he'll be eager to get started straight away.
"We're blessed to have a really strong group of nines at the club, who all have unique strengths and abilities. Scott unfortunately continues to work his way back from a hip injury that has kept him side lined since October, which was also a factor in this move.
"Ali is a player with great vision and understanding of the game and those qualities will only rub off on our scrum-halves."
Surprise move makes sense for Scotland
Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland
The news that Price is making a season-long switch from Glasgow to Edinburgh came as a bolt from the blue, particularly to Warriors fans, who won't be best pleased about losing the Scotland international and Lion to their biggest rivals.
This is a move made by national central office at Murrayfield. And it makes sense - on a number of fronts.
Edinburgh need a scrum-half and Price needs to play games. It's simple enough.
Glasgow had three live contenders for the scrum-half jersey - George Horne, Price and Jamie Dobie. Edinburgh have Ben Vellacott, new signing Steele, Charlie Shiel and Hector Patterson, who is only 18.
Steele is injured and Patterson is just starting off, so they need an experienced nine to fill the gap. Edinburgh cannot have another season like their dismal effort last season. Hence, a heavy hitter arrives from Glasgow.
Read Tom's analysis in full and follow updates on Scottish rugby here.