Hamish Watson has heralded Magnus Bradbury’s captaincy as a positive change under the Richard Cockerill era – and insists age is all but a number for the young back-rower.

Having won his first two caps for Scotland last year, 22-year-old Bradbury was unveiled as Edinburgh’s captain for the 2017-18 season only four days before skippering his side to victory in their opening PRO 14 encounter, against Cardiff Blues. 

And having made it two from two after inspiring the Myreside outfit to a gritty bonus-point win over the Dragons in round two, fellow back-rower Watson believes Bradbury’s leadership is already proving the perfect building block upon which Cockerill can mould an industrious team.

“Maggie can lead on the field, off it and in the first two games, he’s done really well with his captaincy,” said Watson.

“You’ve also got those older players and more experienced players to lead when Maggie is having a tough day at the office.

“All the players can step in – it’s not just on Maggie – and I think it’s important Maggie’s got all those players around him, helping him out. 

“He’s a young guy, he could be at the club for another ten years, so it’s great that he could be the captain for another ten years or however long it could be.

“I think Cockerill can see that he can do a great job and so do all the players, we’re all fully behind him and it will work well.”

A product of Oban High School, Merchiston Castle School and the national age-grade system, Bradbury joined Edinburgh on an Academy contract in 2014.

Having signed a three-year contract before this season, the appointment of the 6ft 4in powerful forward as skipper represents Cockerill’s eagerness to bolster his squad’s credentials in a bid to avoid an eighth straight bottom-half league finish.

And while his new role might have raised a few eyebrows, Watson believes Bradbury’s inexperience will inject a positive dynamic into Edinburgh’s fresh-looking squad, contrasted with the likes of Scotland’s experienced Ross Ford.

“Maggie is young, but now he’s captain, everyone is really respectful to him. You’ve got someone like Fordy – who’s the most capped Scotland player – and he’s getting led by Maggie,” said Watson, a seasoned Edinburgh player himself with more than 50 appearances.

“I think that’s something maybe Cockerill did deliberately, you know it doesn’t matter if you’ve got 30 caps or 200 caps – he’s done a great job so far and I think he’ll do really well.”

Hamish Watson was speaking at the launch of Mitsubishi Motors new Kit 4 Clubs scheme, offering rugby clubs and schools access to kit and equipment. For more information visit http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/rugby/scotland/kit4clubs/