By Graham Bean

Copyright scotsman

Conor McAlpine is aiming to repay the faith shown in him by Sean Everitt by proving he can step up to Edinburgh’s senior squad on a regular basis this season. The club bid farewell to Ali Price in the summer, with the Scotland and Lions scrum-half signing for Montpellier in the Top 14. Edinburgh chose not to replace the hugely experienced Price, opening up a pathway for up-and-coming nines McAlpine and Hector Patterson to challenge Ben Vellacott and Charlie Shiel for places in the top team. McAlpine, 21, signed a two-year professional deal in May, his first senior contract, and is grateful to head coach Everitt for giving him the opportunity. “When Ali was leaving, I was wondering what they were going to do,” said McAlpine who made his Edinburgh debut last season in the European Challenge Cup tie against Gloucester. “But when I had a meeting with Sean, he showed his faith in me. I appreciated that and I want to show he has made a good decision, I suppose.” McAlpine, a product of Boroughmuir minis and George Watson’s College, had to overcome adversity after leaving school when he tore his anterior crucial ligament in a sevens tournament. He was out for around 18 months but fought his way back, initially playing for Watsonians, then being picked up by Glasgow Warriors before joining the Edinburgh Rugby academy. He was part of the Scotland Under-20 side that won the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2024, earning promotion back to the top tier, and played a number of A games for Edinburgh last season before his debut off the bench at Kingsholm. “It was a European game and we had quite a lot of young boys playing, so it was a good experience,” he said. “It was chucking it down with rain and very windy, quite bad conditions, but cool to play a good team like Gloucester in front of the Shed. I got the last 20 minutes, so it was pretty good.” The aim now is to kick on. He scored a try against Ulster in Belfast in last week’s pre-season match and will be involved again this Friday when Edinburgh play two friendlies, against Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders, at the Hive. “Obviously I want to push the other boys,” said McAlpine. “I back myself and my ability. Hopefully I get as many chances as possible and make the most of the ones I do get.” Last week’s game in Belfast was something of an eye-opener for the scrum-half in terms of the speed. “The pace was completely different to what I’ve played before,” he said. “I’ve played quite a few ‘A’ games which are still a decent standard, but nothing compared to the actual pro level. It was a very good experience and a good insight into what the games will be like throughout this season.” McAlpine said that both Price and Vellacott had been good sounding boards and generous with their advice but he knows there are areas he needs to improve. “Probably the consistency in my game, my game management – being aware when to transfer pressure,” he explained. “I think I’m getting a bit better at that, just having a clear head and remembering the principles, being consistent in my passing and kicking, and keep practising that. But I’m feeling good, to be fair.”