Freddy Douglas signs first professional contract with Edinburgh

Douglas made his Edinburgh debut in Saturday’s win over Benetton, capping a whirlwind month that also saw the 19-year-old become Scotland’s youngest debutant for 60 years when he featured in the Portugal win, while he was also named Player of the Match in the Scotland ‘A’ victory over Chile.  

Freddy Douglas makes a tackle on his Scotland debut against Portugal (Image: SNS) Now he’s signed his first professional terms with the capital club, having agreed a two-year deal which begins in the summer. 

Douglas said: “Edinburgh is my home town. It’s where I live and where I’ve grown up my whole life, and it’s always been my dream to play for Edinburgh. I love it here.  

“It is lovely to be wanted, so it was nice, but staying in Edinburgh was an offer I couldn’t really refuse. I would always try and stay here unless something bad happened.” 

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: “I’m delighted for Freddy. He’s an incredibly hard-working individual and looks to improve his game every day he comes into training.

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt (Image: SNS Group)

“We’re happy with how he’s developing. His talent at the breakdown is obvious to see but he offers a lot of physicality elsewhere around the park.

“It’s also great to have a guy that has grown up supporting this club break through into the team, representing his hometown club.”

Douglas, who was described as “world class” by Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel even before his international debut, appears to have taken the past month in his stride, but he admitted it had been a “pretty mental few weeks”.  

Read more:

• John Dalziel hails 'world class' Freddy Douglas as a 'superstar'

• Scotland debutant Freddy Douglas responds to 'world-class' billing

He said: “I try and stay calm - I’d say I play my best rugby when I’m calm and relaxed - but inside I was overjoyed [on his Scotland debut]. It was a pretty mental few weeks - it all just happened so quickly.” 

While the opportunity to play for Scotland came quicker than the teenager could possibly have imagined, having not made his club debut, he had to be patient for opportunities at Edinburgh.  

Freddy Douglas spent the first block of the season playing for Edinburgh's 'A' team (Image: Edinburgh Rugby) That first chance came in the final quarter of an hour against Benetton, with Edinburgh battling to hold on to a game they had led by 35 points at half-time.  

Douglas added: “When you’re warming up on the sideline you see the score slowly changing, it is a bit like ‘oh my God’, but it was really important to stay calm and stick to our game plan.  

“Maybe for the first five minutes I was a bit shocked, but then as I got into the game I was much better and stayed calm.” 

And this weekend is likely to bring a European debut, with several of his more experienced international colleagues given the weekend off as Edinburgh kick off their Challenge Cup campaign at Gloucester.  

Douglas is relishing the challenge.  

He said: “Gloucester seem to be a class team. They’re coming off a big win against Northampton. I’m looking forward to it: it will be another great wee exposure and good experience.” 

He hopes these back-to-back games can be a springboard to getting regular game-time throughout the rest of the season.  

Freddy Douglas in action for Scotland 'A' against Chile (Image: SNS) When asked about his goals, he said: “I would love to keep playing for Edinburgh. It’s a dream come true playing for the club, so as many minutes as I can here.” 

The former Stewart’s Melville College pupil does not turn 20 until May, meaning he is still eligible for the under-20s this season.  

He said playing for the age-grade team, rather than Gregor Townsend’s senior Scotland side during the Six Nations, is foremost in his mind.  

"If I get a [senior] call-up, then lovely, but I’m thinking at the moment about 20s and hopefully getting a really good Six Nations campaign.”  

Townsend lauded Douglas’ jackalling as his “super-strength” on more than one occasion throughout the autumn, and while the teenager said he’s had feedback from the Scotland boss on areas he needs to work on, he also believes spending a month with the Scotland squad has been “huge” for his development.      

“The speed and the physicality that they play at means you have to adapt so quickly. I’ve just grown and grown and become so much better.” 

And long-term, Douglas has set his sights on following former Australia captain David Pocock, who was his idol growing up.  

Freddy Douglas has his sights set on emulating the career of ex-Wallabies back-row David Pocock (Image: Getty Images) “I always wanted to be like him,” Douglas said of the 83-times capped former Wallabies international.  

“When he was playing he was, in my opinion, the best player in the world. His ability over the breakdown is something that eventually I want to emulate." 

He also sung the praises of a current Scotland player – and the man currently in possession of the number seven jersey. 

"I think just the work rate of Rory Darge - he’s been so class the past few years for Glasgow and Scotland. He just gets through so much work and I eventually want to emulate that as well.”