CHRIS DEAN admits that he did have concerns about not being offered a contract renewal with hometown club Edinburgh after a combination of Covid, injury and team selection limited his pre-Christmas appearances this season to just nine minutes in total, spread over two matches against Benetton and Zebre in mid-October.
However, the 28-year-old needn’t have worried. During the six and a half years since making his debut for the capital club, his work-rate and leadership – both on and off the field – has established the centre as a key member of the squad, and the value of experienced campaigners who are not going to be called away on international duty for long swathes of the season meant that re-signing Dean was a no-brainer as far as head coach Mike Blair was concerned.
“Chris will have been frustrated at the start of the season because he had a few things that didn’t go right for him,” acknowledged Blair. ”He had Covid, his family had Covid and then he picked up an injury, so he didn’t quite get that opportunity to show what he can do – but whenever he’s come on, he’s done really, really well for us.
“He’s enthusiastic, he’s a communicator and he works really hard off the ball. He’s an important figure within the team, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.”
Now, with yesterday's news that his future secure for at least one more season (Scotland’s pro teams no longer provide fans with details of contract lengths), Dean is determined to repay the faith Blair has shown in him by continuing to be a good squad player.
“It is not something I consciously focus on, it’s just naturally the way things go,” he explained. “You have to take a more holistic view of your position and if you are not playing then you have to ask yourself: How do I add value? How can I help the team, whether that’s on or off the pitch?
“I think that’s really important – teamwork is a great rugby value – so it’s nice to hear Mike say that. I guess it’s a natural thing to happen as you get older – you gain some responsibility.”
“There was definitely a part of me that was worried [about not getting a contract renewal], without a doubt, because I didn’t finish last year playing my best rugby, then we had a new coach and it took a long time for an opportunity.
“I guess like anyone, you lose a bit of confidence, but as soon as you get back out there it’s like second nature,” added Dean, who has played nine matches since the turn of the year. “So, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to continue with Edinburgh. It’s always been home to me, and I look forward to pulling on the jersey as many times as I can.”
