Chris Dean taking nothing for granted as he pens new deal with Edinburgh Rugby

Injuries and Covid conspired to rob Chris Dean of the chance to be part of Mike Blair’s new-look Edinburgh project at the beginning of the campaign but the long-serving centre is determined to play his part in the season’s finale.

The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract extension with the capital club and is in the frame to play in this weekend’s 1872 Cup clash with Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield.

It’s now seven years since Dean made his Edinburgh debut and his enthusiasm for the club remains undimmed but he confessed to nursing some doubts about whether he would be offered a new deal.

“I’ll be quite honest - I probably didn’t finish last year playing my best rugby and then you have a new coach and it took a long time for an opportunity,” he said. “And I guess like anyone, you lose a bit of confidence but as soon as you get back out there it’s like second nature.”

Dean had to watch from the sidelines as James Lang and Cammy Hutchison made the early running for Edinburgh at inside centre this season but the North Berwick man seized his opportunity against Ulster last month, coming on in the second minute when Lang picked up a knee injury.

He impressed in the 16-10 defeat at the DAM Health Stadium and retained his place for the Challenge Cup clash against Wasps the following week when he provided a pair of offload assists in another narrow reverse.

Both games were played amid a raucous atmosphere and Dean rates them among his best memories of playing for Edinburgh despite the results. He thinks the time he spent sidelined this season has made him appreciate more the opportunity to play for the club he grew up supporting.

“Because I’m getting on a little bit and there is a finite time on how long you can play, I