Former Scotland captain John Barclay will exit Edinburgh when his contract concludes, head coach Richard Cockerill has confirmed.
The 33-year-old back-rower returned to Scotland in 2018 but a ruptured achilles ruled him out of the majority of his first season.
Scotland international John Barclay is to leave Edinburgh at the end of the season. He is out of contract on July 1. If no PRO14 games are played by then-which is highly unlikely-he would have played his last game for the club. If he does not move to another club he may retire.
— Rob Robertson (@SDM_Robertson) April 21, 2020
Barclay recovered and made the World Cup squad last Autumn, before retiring from Scotland duty after 76 caps.
He has played just 14 times for Edinburgh.
According to RUCK sources, Barclay is considering retirement but is holding off making an official announcement to see if any interesting opportunities present themselves.
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He isn’t interested in heading abroad to France, Japan or the USA, but would be willing to move to a Premiership club if the right deal presented itself.
Sale Sharks, who will lose Mark Wilson when his loan expires in June, are reportedly in the market for a blindside and could offer him a one-year contract if he can prove his fitness.
He’d also provide cover for Tom Curry when he is on international duty with England.
LIST: Six of the best rugby players from Hong Kong
1. John Barclay
Born in Hong Kong, Barclay made his Scotland debut in the 2007 Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand at Murrayfield the day before his 21st birthday.