EDINBURGH second-row Callum Hunter-Hill has joined English Premiership side Saracens on an ‘Academy loan’ deal.

“With several locks returning to fitness, coupled with our recent second-row recruitment, an opportunity has arisen for Callum to continue his rugby development at Allianz Park,” said Edinburgh Head Coach Richard Cockerill. “Callum is a prospect for the future and this move benefits both us and the player.”

Edinburgh signed Sam Thomson from Australia yesterday. They will start the season with Fraser McKenzie, Lewis Carmichael, Murray Douglas, Jamie Hodgson and Thomson as options in the boiler-house, as well as Grant Gilchrist and Ben Toolis due back from World Cup duty at the end of October.

Hunter-Hill is a dormer Stewart’s Melville schoolboy, who has previously captained Stirling County and Scotland Under-20s. He spent a period on loan at London Scottish during the 2016-17 season and at Newcastle Falcons in 2017-18. He made his Edinburgh debut against Southern Kings in December 2017 and has made 18 appearances so far for the capital side.

The 22-year-old recently signed a two-year contract extension with Edinburgh, which will keep him on the books until at least the summer of 2021.