LOOSEHEAD prop Nick Auterac has joined Edinburgh from Northampton Saints and will compete with the likes of Pierre Schoeman and Boan Venter for the No 1 jersey next season. The 29-year-old was called up to the Scotland squad last summer when Edinburgh coach Mike Blair was in interim charge, but did not get a chance to make his national debut as the planned games were cancelled because of the pandemic.
“Joining Edinburgh is an extremely exciting next chapter for me,” said Auterac, who has also played for Saracens, Harlequins and Bath in the English Premiership. “The club has been in great form over the last few seasons.
“The opportunity to play in not only the URC but also the Champions Cup is a challenge I am relishing. As a player, I would like to think my set piece is up there with the best and I believe I can be a world-class scrummager.
“I also like to think, for a prop, I am a pretty good runner of the ball with some speed and obviously quite a bit of weight behind me. The general high standards of the squad and club was a huge factor in me joining and wanting to develop further as a player.”
Blair believes that Auterac will enhance the depth of his squad. “Nick is a great guy who’ll fit in well with the players and staff here at the club,” the coach said.
“We’ve got a really talented group of looseheads at the club already with Pierre Schoeman, Boan Venter and Jamie Jack – while Harrison Courtney will once again be with us on a partnership contract – but as we’ve seen with injuries and international call-ups, it’s vital to build a strong squad with players that can step up straight away.”
