RUGBY: Swindon-born Hamilton makes move

11:47am Friday 2nd May 2008

SWINDON-BORN Scotland lock Jim Hamilton will join Edinburgh from Leicester Tigers this summer on a three-year contract.

Hamilton is determined to establish himself in Frank Hadden's national team, having started two matches in this season's RBS 6 Nations campaign to take his caps tally to 16.

The 25-year-old is confident working with Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson will enable him to stake his claim for regular Scotland selection.

Hamilton said: "I can't wait to get involved with Edinburgh. I have had a taste of being around a lot of the Edinburgh boys and it is a really exciting place to be.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Andy. I've spoken to him about the move and he seemed to be very excited about working with me.

"He knows the way forwards play inside out and he is one of the best forwards coaches in the northern hemisphere.

"I know what Andy will be expecting from me and hopefully he can develop me and push me onto the next stage of becoming a better player. I'm really excited about it all.

"I want to come up to Scotland and earn my stripes. I want to train hard in pre-season and show the lads what I'm made of through my work ethic.

I want to play well for Edinburgh and to establish myself with Scotland."

Former England coach Robinson, who will assist Hadden on next month's trip to Argentina, is delighted to have convinced Hamilton to join his first Scottish club.

Robinson said: "I am really pleased that we have been able to secure a second row of Jim's class and he will come and push for a spot."

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