Scotland internationalist Darryl Marfo has left Edinburgh Rugby with immediate effect, bringing to an end an ultimately disappointing stint at the club.
The prop forward made his debut for the club in 2017 having signed from Bath, penning a one year deal. He made a promising start to his Edinburgh career and even broke into the Scotland squad, earning three caps during the Autumn tests two years ago.
However, he struggled to impose himself throughout the remainder of the season after suffering a back injury. In March of last year, Marfo was given a two-year contract extension but since then, has managed just 21 minutes of action, against Munster in the Pro14 last November.
It is a disappointing end to his Edinburgh career for the 29-year-old but assistant coach Stevie Lawrie believes letting him go is in the best interest of everyone involved, particularly the player himself.
“For Marfs it is an opportunity,” said Lawrie of the contract termination.
“We recognise that he has not had a lot of rugby, he plays in a position we have a lot of strength in, and it was just felt between the club and Darryl that it was best for him that he sought opportunities elsewhere.”
Marfo was particularly unlucky to drop out of the picture almost as soon as he signed a contract extension but that, says Lawrie, can be just how the game pans out.
“I think that’s that nature of the beast sometimes,” he said.
“Selection is subjective, but it is objective sometimes as well.
“Look, Darryl has trained really hard, he’s played really well when he’s had a chance – he had that great stint when he was in the national squad and played some of his best rugby – but it is now just a case that it was in his best interests that he moves on.”
Edinburgh are certainly not short on loose-head props and that was, admits Lawrie, a factor in the decision.
“Jamie Bhatti is with us now and he has played really well,” the assistant coach said.
“We’ve got Pierre Schoeman and Rory Sutherland, so we’ve got a lot of guys in that position who are performing as well, so I think it was just a decision for both parties that it was best (for Marfo to leave).”
Meanwhile, following the announcement last week by John Barclay that he is to retire from international rugby, Lawrie admits that from a selfish point of view, the club have considered the positive impact it may have on them while some of his teammates are on international duty for the Six Nations in the new year.
“It has been discussed (that he will be around during the Six Nations),” said Lawrie.
“John is an important part of our make-up, he brings a lot of experience to the squad – a former Scotland captain and done a lot of things at the top end – so we recognise that particularly during that window when guys are away he is going to be an important figure hopefully.”
Barclay suffered a concussion last month but his recovery has been going well and will, says Lawrie, be in the frame for selection for the European Challenge Cup tie against Wasps on Saturday.
“John is undergoing the usual protocols,” said Lawrie.
“He’s being assessed by the medics but there’s no real update on him. He’s got a chance for Saturday though. But we hope (it’s not another long lay-off). He’s there or thereabouts.”
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