PACO BACK WITH MONARCHS

EDINBURGH have announced the return of Paco Castagna for a second season with the Monarchs next year.

Castagna is the fifth rider from the club’s 2022 line-up to sign on for ’23, and he is expected to improve on a sub-five point starting average.

He said: “Coming back to Edinburgh was what I wanted. At one point it didn’t look like it was going to happen because of what was happening with the stadium, but I waited and I am delighted to be back.

“I turned down offers from elsewhere, Edinburgh is where I wanted to be, and I am over the moon to be back.

“I can’t wait for the 2023 season now and I think we have a good team. I think Kye (Thomson) and I will have a good friendly battle for the third heat-leader role and that is what I want.”