Twenty senior players left Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season and most - but not all - have found new homes for the 2025-26 campaign.
Some have landed lucrative contracts in France and England while others are still hoping to secure a deal in the coming weeks.
Summer can be a time of uncertainty for out-of-contract rugby pros, with the search to find a club intensifying as the new season looms. Here’s the latest state of play on those who left Scotland’s two professional teams.
9. Jack Hocking
The 20-year-old centre was deemed surplus to requirements by Edinburgh but that didn’t stop his selection by Scotland Under-20s for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in the summer. Hocking started against eventual winners South Africa and came off the bench in the games with England, Australia, Ireland and Georgia in what could prove a useful shop window for the player. Born in Edinburgh, Hocking moved to Queensland at the age of three but returned to join Edinburgh’s academy ahead of the 2022-23 season. Another who featured for Scotland Sevens at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. | SNS Group / SRU
10. Jamie Hodgson
Scotland international lock dropped out of the picture under Sean Everitt at Edinburgh and was loaned to Bristol Bears last season only for injury to end his time down south prematurely. The 27-year-old has returned to the English Premiership to sign for Newcastle on a one-year deal where he will reunite with director of rugby Steve Diamond who had a short spell with Edinburgh in 2023. It’s an exciting time to be joining Newcastle for the five-times capped Hodgson following the club's takeover by Red Bull. | SNS Group
11. Tom Jordan
The poster boy for the Franco Smith era at Glasgow Warriors, Jordan has gone from Super6 player with Ayrshire Bulls to Scotland mainstay in three short years. His departure for Bristol Bears leaves big shoes to fill at Scotstoun as Jordan has been one of Glasgow’s most consistent players. Can play stand-off, centre and full-back and should have a big future ahead of him at Ashton Gate. Was a key component of Glasgow’s URC title-winning squad in 2024 and, at 26, is in his prime. | SNS Group / SRU
12. Sean Kennedy
Experienced scrum-half is going back to his club rugby roots with Stirling County where he was already helping out on the coaching side. He will now combine that with playing duties as he looks to help Stirling return to the top flight. Had two stints at Glasgow Warriors, the second lasting six years, and enjoyed a notable spell in the team during the title-winning season while Jamie Dobie and George Horne were both injured. | SNS Group