Kirkcaldy rugby ace signs on with Edinburgh

After a stellar season with the Beveridge Park outfit in the BT National League Division 2, Tofilau got the move his performances warranted as he signed on with the Guiness Pro12 team.

The Fife Free Press broke the story in April of this year after Tofilau had appeared for Edinburgh at the Melrose Sevens tournament but it was today that the Samoan was officially announced as an Edinburgh player.

Speaking of the move, Tofilau said to the club’s official website: “I am excited and a little bit nervous for pre-season, but I’m looking forward to getting started.

“It’s going to be tough, but I know it’s all going to help me adapt to the environment and push me to achieve my goals and dreams.”

Having been discovered by Kirkcaldy’s own Samoan, Quintan Sanft, in October 2015, Tofilau’s rise was unprecedented as he led Kirkcaldy to a respectable sixth placed finish before Edinburgh came knocking.

A trial match followed before the 21-year-old was shirted for the Melrose Sevens, in which he popped up to score the winning try in the final.

“I’m grateful, also, to Kirkcaldy,” Tofilau said. “My time there taught me a lot, and they’re fully behind me in grabbing the opportunity, so I think it will be good for them to hopefully see one of their own pull on the shirt and do them proud this season.”

He will be one of seven non-Scottish qualified signings named by head coach, Alan Solomons as Edinburgh prepare for another gruelling campaign.

They will be challenging both domestically and on the continent where they will face some of the best rugby outfits in Europe.