A
product of Barnard Castle School, an educational establishment which has produced
many fine rugby players, including such as the Underwood brothers, present England
squad member Matthew Tait, and his former Newcastle boss Rob Andrew, Ed was one
of three Falcons who joined us on loan deals in July, 2007. Playing
rugby at Barnard Castle from the age of 8, Ed represented Durham Schools at U16
and U18 levels, and also played for the North U18s side. He also enjoyed cricket
when at school, it no surprise that he was a fast bowler. His
club rugby was played at Mowden Park, Darlington, but as an Academy player with
Newcastle Falcons his development has seen him play for England U19s and U21s,
in the same England team as Simon Whatling, and he also made his Premiership debut
against Leicester in 2004. Like
Eniola Gesinde, Ed has been a member of the extended England Sevens squad, and
is described as "a genuinely talented open-side flanker with a big physical
presence who has all the potential to make it as a consistent Premiership performer."
Along with his compatriots,
Ed is relishing the opportunity of playing for the Cornish Pirates, ours seen
as the closest thing to Guinness Premiership standard. | 
