VELLACOTT APPOINTED CO-CAPTAIN FOR 2023/24 SEASON

SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL SCRUM-HALF BEN VELLACOTT WAS TODAY APPOINTED EDINBURGH RUGBY CO-CAPTAIN FOR THE UPCOMING 2023/24 CAMPAIGN.
 

Now entering his third season at the capital club, Vellacott, 28, has been a standout performer since joining from Wasps in 2021, earning a league-wide reputation for his lightning-quick feet and playmaking abilities in the number nine jersey.
 
A Scotland debutant in 2022, Vellacott made his first and only Scotland appearance so far in the 33-22 victory over Italy at Stadio Olimpico, as a second-half replacement.
 
Vellacott will share the captaincy duties with a returning Scotland internationalist, to be appointed by Senior Coach Sean Everitt when the club’s cohort of Scotland players return from Rugby World Cup 2023.
 
Vellacott said: “I am honestly over the moon and honoured to be named co-captain. It still hasn’t sunk in. I have a lot of love for this club, especially the people within it, and personally for me it’ll be a new challenge which I am excited for.
 
“I was not expecting the news at all, and I was really taken back when Sean asked me. I had just finished breakfast at the club and Sean asked to speak to me.
 
“I initially thought ‘oh no have I done something wrong’ and he quickly reassured me there was nothing to worry about. We had a really positive chat and it’s an absolute privilege to be asked to be co-captain.”
 
Vellacott is one of Edinburgh Rugby’s most experienced players having earned his stripes south of the border at both Gloucester and Wasps, while playing age-grade rugby for Scotland U20.
 
A livewire scrum-half known his for his incredible acceleration, Vellacott ran in 14 tries in 50 appearances at Gloucester, with his breakthrough campaign at Kingsholm coming during the 2017/18 season as he notched up seven tries throughout an impressive year.
 
Vellacott endured a challenging time during two seasons at Wasps after suffering a knee injury in first year at the club – scoring two tries in 25 appearances – however the scrum-half bounced back in predictably bold fashion as he joined Edinburgh Rugby ahead of the 2021/22 season.
 
He shot onto the scene at Hive Stadium – scoring six tries in 23 appearances during his first season at the club – and earning the September Scottish Building Society Player of the Month after an electric start to life in the Scottish capital.
 
Vellacott now gears up to co-captain Edinburgh Rugby for the first time ahead of the Scottish Building Society Pre-Season Series against Connacht at Hive Stadium this Friday night (29 September, kick-off 7.30pm).