Bradley to leave at end of Season

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Edinburgh Rugby are beginning the search today for a new coaching team to steer the club from the 2013/14 season.

Defence coach Billy McGinty today resigned from his post, while the club confirmed that head coach Michael Bradley will not have his contract renewed at the end of this season.

McGinty said: “I have enjoyed my time at Edinburgh Rugby and have met some fantastic people. The support from the fans has been magnificent. Good luck to Edinburgh Rugby in the future.”

Bradley will continue to coach the side until his contract ends this May, and will share the defensive duties with forwards coach Neil Back, who joined the club in July last year.

Bradley said: “It’s been an honour to be Edinburgh Rugby head coach and I’d like to thank my fellow coaches, management team, players, staff, fans and sponsors for their support these past two years.

“Building a strong club with a clear identity, which has shared ownership from the players, management, fans, sponsors and the community at large is the key driver of all successful teams and, for me, it is critical that this work continues and enables both the club and the team to reach its full potential.

“The undoubted highlight of my two years was the joy on the faces of all connected with Edinburgh Rugby when the final whistle went when we overcame Toulouse in last year’s quarter-final of the Heineken Cup at Murrayfield.

“I am very disappointed by the run of results this season and will put everything into the remainder of the season to help the club build for a brighter future.”

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: “Michael and Billy have played a pivotal role in a number of memorable games at Murrayfield. In particular, last year’s journey to the Heineken Cup semi-final in Dublin was a highlight.

“This season’s results, however, have been below the standards expected by the club and its fans and we believe the time is right to begin the search for a fresh coaching team.”

Edinburgh Rugby managing director, Craig Docherty, added: “On behalf of everyone at Edinburgh Rugby, I would like to thank Michael and Billy for their on and off field contribution and input to the club over the past couple of seasons.

“They were a major part of the landmark achievement of reaching the Heineken Cup semi-final last year and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Edinburgh Rugby will begin the recruitment process for new coaching personnel with immediate effect.

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/edinburgh-news/4664-search-begins-for-new-coaching-team

Donald is expected to leave Bath at the end of the season apparently, leaving Heathcote in position to be first choice 10 at the club. Would it not be better for Scotland if he stayed at Bath and therefore left room for eg Hunter or Allen at Edinburgh?

I can see Scott Wight heading east on the M8 at the end of the season... Dunc won't leave Glasgow and Ruairidh is first choice. Not much point in him warming the bench/sitting in the stands if he can get gametime in Edinburgh!

Blair is back with Embra Accies, Hutton with Hawick, Climo went back to NZ?, and Gillies is at Exe University ~ is that right? What a shame none of them can thru, yet

Fair point, I suppose he won't be first choice at Bath although I'd like to think he'd at least compete for a place in the squad. I was just hoping Leonard or Hunter would be regularly starting for Edinburgh by now and would hope at least one of them will next season. If Heathcote comes in at least one of the three won't be playing professional rugby. Still I'd rather Heathcote keeping them out of the side than Francis.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Blair is back with Embra Accies, Hutton with Hawick, Climo went back to NZ?, and Gillies is at Exe University ~ is that right? What a shame none of them can thru, yet

Gillies fell out of love of the proffesional game and is at Exe Uni. Climo played for the 'naki in the NPC as a winger, when you have Beauden Barrett in front of you need to play somewhere else.

If I recall the problem with Hutton was that although he could run the ball pretty well, his kicking game was really poor, in that he didn't have any length on his punts.

You'd have thought that could have been addressed though.

Edinburgh has a real knack of backing the wrong horse.

With Laidlaw kicking goals and running the game from 9, and Tonks available to kick to touch, you'd think identifying a playmaker at 10 would be possible? Alex Blair has good pace and by all accounts an excellent step, hopefully he can maintain fitness this time round and get more involved at Accies.

I hate the idea of talented players missing out for the likes of Francis and Atiga.

[quote="funnyExiledScot"]If I recall the problem with Hutton was that although he could run the ball pretty well, his kicking game was really poor, in that he didn't have any length on his punts.

You'd have thought that could have been addressed though.

Jackson doesn't have a good kicking game and it seemingly hasn't held him back.

I think that's unfair on Jackson, he doesn't have a "consistent" kicking game, but he can nail his kicks from hand on occasion.

I recall there being an article on Hutton (Scotsman perhaps) pointing out that he had never really had specialist coaching on kicking, which is essential for stand-offs you'd like to think.

Jackson in reality has been very fortunate in his career. When he came through people were so sick of Parks and Godman that basically any alternative was hailed as the saviour of Scottish rugby. He's really only starting now to look comfortable in Scottish rugby, aided very much by not having to worry about goal kicking, and just being able to focus on putting his outside backs into space.

I thought he looked a decent international 10 on Saturday, albeit under far less pressure than on the previous weekend. He's well placed now to kick on from here, and should have some confidence. His partnership with Laidlaw is ideal, because Laidlaw is the sort of 9 to take on a fair bit of game management responsibility, and allow Jackson to play his more natural game, which is more instinctive.

I'd be delighted were Jackson to move to Edinburgh. He'd be ideal for our backline.

I think a move to Edinburgh for Jackson would be a sensible option for all parties. Having the countries two best 10's at the same club just doesn't allow for them both to develop.

Give Jackson the shirt at Edinburgh and Weir at Glasgow and let Hunter, Leonard, Wight and Russell battle it out for the bench spots.

See I don't see it that way. It's more of a style choice at Glasgow between Weir and Jackson, and competition for a shirt will always make players better... Look at Henry Pyrgos, Matawalu has been itching to get into the shirt but Henry has played very well and deserves his starts and call up.

Jackson is a flair player and as much as he fits into Edinburgh's gameplan, he's done a good job of making the Glasgow backs tick this season. Maybe it's the open fields of Scotstoun, but he's been in great form this year. Can't see Duncan Weir moving from Glasgow, and Scott Wight is older than both of them, as well as Finn Russell coming through...

Honestly someone like Wight wouldn't be a bad option either for Edinburgh. He's probably less 'exciting' than Jacko but more solid... And god knows Edinburgh could do with solid after this year.

Hutton's passing was appalling and he couldn't run a backline - he was a good running 10 though1

Jacko is a terrific rugby player and will go nowhere- except he may get a rather large French rugby contract. I also rate Scott Wight - decent player and a big guy for a 10. Toonie does'nt rate him so I guess he will go. Personally I cannot wait to see Jacko and The Messiah in the same team.. I also thoroughly rate Wee Duncky and want him to stay so that we can establish a Hundred Year reich - oops got a bit carried away there - better get back to Rage Against the Machine and the Biffys

Certainly competition improves players, and I can understand that having Jackson and Weir in the same team brings flexibility. But for me both Weir and Jackson need to be playing week in week out. Weir needs to improve his passing game, likewise Jackson needs to improve his game management and kicking (which for an international fly half is truly terrible), the only way I can see them doing this is by playing and leading a team every week.