Grant Gilchrist lands new Edinburgh deal and sets sights on emulating Chris Paterson Scotland achievement

Gilchrist will be 37 by the time the tournament in Australia comes along but it would be foolish to bet against him being involved in 18 months’ time.

Chris Paterson is the only Scotland male player to have featured in four World Cups, with the former Gala, Edinburgh and Gloucester back involved in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Gilchrist, who played at the 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cups, now hopes to emulate Paterson.

“Yeah, I would love that,” he said. “The coaches want me to stay in contention until then. I don't know whether I'm going to be good enough, but I'm certainly going to push hard.

“I'm going to give my best to play my best rugby, and I'm going to try and make it. If I'm not good enough, then I'll make sure that the standard of the guys that do go is [good enough]. That'll be my mindset.

“Now that I'm under contract until then, that's got to be my goal. Week on week, keep trying to get better, keep competing and see what comes.”

Sean Everitt, his coach at Edinburgh, believes he can do it and knows the value Gilchrist brings every time he takes the field, both in terms of ability and leadership.

“One year will take Gilco to the World Cup,” said Everitt. “We’ll see how he tracks. I know that he feels that he’s got some more time in his body, and if it goes well it will be great if we can keep him on longer.

“He’s a good servant to Edinburgh Rugby. He’s passionate, and really enjoys playing for the club, and I’m sure you’ve seen in the interviews that you’ve had with him that he’s incredibly passionate and competitive and wants to do well.

“He looks after his body really well. There’s no secret that our lineout has improved since he’s returned back into the fold. So yes, it’s great to have him for another year and good to have his leadership.”

Sixteen seasons for one-club man

Next season will be Gilchrist’s 16th in Edinburgh colours, a remarkable achievement in any era but all the more impressive in the ultra-competitive modern game where fitness levels are higher than ever before. He made his debut in 2011 and believes there’s plenty left in the tank.

“I still feel like I can compete, and I still feel like I've got a lot to give, both with the national team and with Edinburgh,” he said. “So I was delighted that they wanted to have me for another year.

“I've said it all along, if I feel like I can't compete, if I feel like I can't get better, and I don't have that drive to do that, then that's when you walk away. Until that day, I want to be here. I want to give my all to the club, and that's why I'm delighted I'm able to do it for another year.”

Gilchrist has been prematurely written off in the past. He was dropped after Scotland’s Six Nations defeat by Italy this year but made big contributions from the bench in the wins over Wales and France and was back in the starting side for the Ireland game.

“I absolutely love playing for Edinburgh, I absolutely love playing for Scotland, so every time I get the opportunity to wear either jersey, I try to not take it for granted and give it my best.

“If the opportunities come for me between now and the World Cup, I'm just going to give my all and enjoy every minute of it, because you're a long time retired.”

Born in Stirling and a product of Alloa RFC and Stirling County, Gilchrist has become entwined with Edinburgh over the past decade and a half and it’s a relationship that has benefited both parties.

“The club have been fiercely loyal to me, and I'll be fiercely loyal to them, and I'll give my all every day,” he said. “I’ll try every day to be the best I can be. That's all you can ask from yourself, and until that doesn't suit either party, then I'm delighted that we've been able to be loyal to each other through the work of it.”