Exclusive:Scotland cap to train with Harlequins and 'open to offers' after 'disappointing' Edinburgh exit
Centre has had contact from clubs in England, France and Japan as he gets set to keep fit with Gallagher Premiership side
Former Edinburgh centre James Lang has been invited to train with former club Harlequins as the Scotland cap remains on the lookout for a new team.
The 31-year-old was let go by the URC outfit after five seasons at the Hive alongside the likes of fellow internationalists Hamish Watson and Sam Skinner. He revealed that, although he wasn’t entirely happy with the the way his release was handled, he still holds the coaching staff and his ex teammates in high regards and leaves with plenty happy memories from his time in the capital.
The six times capped back, who last featured for the national team in 2021, is staying positive and says he is open to any offers to see where the next step in his rugby journey takes him. Clubs from England, Japan and France have already been in touch and Lang remains hopeful of finding a new home soon.
No ill will to Edinburgh coaching staff from Lang despite disappointing handling of release
On his Edinburgh release, he explained: “It was probably January, Sean [Everitt] was just re-signing so he couldn't talk to any of the players until he knew what he was doing, which is fair. He spoke to me after he re-signed, asked me what I wanted to do the next couple years, where my head was at. We had a good conversation and he said he wanted me to stay, he thought I'd be a good part of the team, and I was keen.
“Then the communication between my agent and the club went a bit silent and I've been around long enough that I knew what was going on. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of communication after being there for five years but we had a good conversation so there's no ill feelings towards them.
“My understanding is that it was potentially the higher-ups that were making the calls, wanting to get Riley [Higgins] over. He’s a good young player, I understand that and I understand it's a business, but I felt like the communication and transparency wasn't great. I think that's all us players want, so we're not just waiting around.
“The relationship between me and Sean is still very good. I have a lot of time for him and I'm only taking positives away from my time at Edinburgh.
“I love the city, love the people I met and love the players. Obviously it wasn't a successful time on the pitch in terms of winning things, but the relationships between the coaches and the players were brilliant so I'll always hold that very close to my heart.”
Lang’s five years at Edinburgh were a frustratingly inconsistent time for supporters as the club showed their quality in a handful of big games but not often enough to turn it into a real run of form. It’s something the centre says he can’t put his finger on and is equally frustrated that they weren’t able to achieve more as a group.
“It's hard to say,” added Lang. “I think as a group you drive the identity and the culture and how you want to play. That comes from the top and then the players have to buy into it. As a playing group there was never a moment where we were like, nah, we're not buying into it, so in that sense, as players, we have to take a lot of responsibility.
“On paper our team should have been competing every year, but it was just that inconsistency. I don't know if it's a lack of identity or anything, but there was definitely something that was holding us back.
“It's hard to put your finger on it, because if it was a game plan thing, or a coaching thing, or a lack of capable players we wouldn't have got those big wins against big European teams and big URC teams. So the game plan, the model, it was perfect for the group but it was just lacked consistency.
Scotland cap to train with Harlequins as search for new club continues
Lang will return to Harlequins, where he began his career and spent five seasons before moving to Edinburgh, on Monday. He says he is hugely grateful to them for the opportunity to train and stay sharp in an elite environment and hopes it can be the catalyst to finding a new club.
He said: “Andy Sanger [Harlequins general manager] called me up, we have a very good relationship. They've invited me to train for the next three to four weeks to keep rugby sharp.
“I'm doing fitness stuff and I'm doing my skills and that, but it's different than being in a team environment where you've got a lot of structure. I'm starting that on Monday, which I'm very excited about.
“You never really know what can happen with these things, just going into training. At the very least it looks good for other prospective teams seeing that I'm in a top environment, still training and still rugby fit, which would put me in good stead for wherever I go.
“I’m really grateful for that opportunity and that they reached out. In terms of what comes next, I've had a lot of conversations with clubs already but for whatever reason it just hasn't fallen my way, but it's all been very positive.
“I'm confident in my ability and I know my value and there's no doubt in my mind that I will be playing and will be at a club soon. I'm just going to stay patient and stay fit and stay ready.
“I'm pretty much open to any kind of move anywhere if it's the right opportunity and that’s quite exciting for me. It would be nice to challenge myself in a different environment, step out of my comfort zone a little bit.”
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