Ali Price said the birth of his baby daughter last month was the major contributing factor in agreeing a one-year deal to remain with Edinburgh.
The Scotland scrum-half moved to the capital on a season-long loan in November, ending nearly a decade at Glasgow during which he made 130 appearances.
The 30-year-old has now agreed to remain with Edinburgh for next season despite reported interest from Perpignan, among others.
Price and partner Annie celebrated the birth of their first child, Luna, on March 26 and he said that was the primary reason he’s decided just to sign a one-year deal.
He said: "At this stage it was trying to find the balance with the home situation.
“I’ve had time to see what it’s all about on and off the field and I’ve really enjoyed it, so for me to commit for another year in a place I’m really enjoying, especially with a young family now, we’ve got that stability at home - it’s the right decision for me.”
For much of the last decade, Price was top of Glasgow’s scrum-half pecking order, but he fell behind George Horne and Jamie Dobie earlier this season which led to the move along the M8.
The 30-year-old, who commutes from Glasgow, feels he’s settled in well into the Edinburgh squad, and said it was an easy decision to sign up for another year.
Price continued: “I’ve really enjoyed this environment, to be honest, so when I got approached about staying it made it a bit more straightforward for me.
"At this stage as well I wasn’t probably ready to just go anywhere.
“There are other clubs, and there are always going to be other clubs that need players, but for me at this stage of my career I still want to challenge myself and be in a professional environment, and a strong environment, and I feel that that’s here.”
Price has also dropped down the international pecking order and his only Six Nations involvement was a cameo from the bench in the defeat to Italy.
He admitted adding to his 66 caps was not a huge factor in staying in Scotland for another year.
“That’s not a given,” Price added.
“I just know that if I’m playing well and enjoying my rugby, that will give me the best chance to be in the mix. It wasn’t really a factor in why I stayed.”
Price was part of the Glasgow squad that won the 2015 Pro12 (as it was then known), before reaching the final four years later only to lose to Leinster; while he also played in last season’s Challenge Cup final defeat to Toulon.
Edinburgh, by contrast, have yet to win a major trophy. Their only appearance in a final was nine years ago.
Price believes winning small moments in big matches could make all the difference.
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He said: “For me it is about winning moments and focusing on every moment in a game.
“At international level it is highlighted but at club level, it is just as important, especially when you get to big knockout games. It is just that – staying in the moment and playing for 80 minutes.
“We have not quite managed to put a full game together. That is the challenge, everyone is trying to stop you from doing that, but I believe, and we believe as a squad, that if we do achieve that, with the game model we are trying to follow and the players we have, we can cause any team issues.”
Price believes Edinburgh are heading in the right direction.
He added: “We have five games now and every game is pretty much knockout to make the top eight, the top four of the URC.
“It will be about putting in performances we are proud of for 80 minutes and that will get us results.”
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt was pleased to have secured the services of the 2021 British and Irish Lions tourist.
Everitt said: “We’re very happy with Ali signing. He’s a seasoned campaigner and a world-class scrum-half.
“It’s not only what he brings on the field, it’s also what he brings from a leadership point of view. He’s a good person, he’s very coachable and he does bring energy to the team. We’re delighted to have him with us.”
Price was a starter in two out of three Tests for The Lions when they toured South Africa three years ago.
Having lost his international place to Ben White and fallen behind George Horne in the pecking order, he’s realistic about his prospects – at least as things stand – of being part of the squad for next summer’s tour of Australia.
He said: “Would I love to go? Of course I would. But you have to be realistic. There is still a lot of rugby to be played.
“If I could put myself in the window and be in the position come next year’s Six Nations, I reckon that’s when you’ll know.”
Before then, he’s other challenges to look forward to closer to home as he and partner Annie adjust to life as parents.
“It’s brilliant. It’s been so good,” Price added.
“Annie’s doing brilliantly and the baby’s doing well. That’s all I can ask for really.
“It’s a massive change but one we’re both enjoying and throwing ourselves into the challenge of.”
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