Edinburgh appoint interim coaches - Bradley & Back have gone

by GLove39 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:14 pm

Fresh off the press (ie the Edinburgh twitter feed)
Scotland assistant coaches Stevie Scott & Duncan Hodge have been appointed interim coaches of Edinburgh Rugby.

Official statement - Both Back & Bradley have resigned with immediate effect!

Scotland assistant coaches Stevie Scott [left] and Duncan Hodge [right] were today appointed as interim coaches of Edinburgh Rugby.

Incumbent (should read incompetent ) head and assistant coaches Michael Bradley and Neil Back have left their posts with immediate effect having agreed terms to bring their contracts to an early end – Bradley’s was due to expire this May, and Back the following season.

Scott and Hodge remain committed to the RBS 6 Nations campaign, and will take the reins as head and assistant coach of the capital club after the competition’s conclusion (Monday 18 March).

In the meantime, the players will continue the strength, conditioning and skills phase of the current fallow period of the RaboDirect PRO12.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: “We feel this move is necessary to give a fresh impetus to the squad going into the remainder of the season.

“Our search for a new coaching team for Edinburgh Rugby continues, with a view to getting the club back on a winning track.”

Edinburgh Rugby managing director, Craig Docherty, said: “I’d like to thank Michael and Neil for all of their input and wish them the very best in the future.

“It’s heartening to welcome the appointment of two former Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland internationalists to our back-room on an interim basis.

“I believe they are the right people to inspire our squad for the remainder of the season and assess the player group going forward.”

Edinburgh Rugby interim head coach, Stevie Scott, said: “I’m delighted to be given this opportunity for the rest of the season.

“Naturally the big thing for me at the moment is my commitment to the national team but, come a week on Saturday night in Paris, I’ll be straight into Edinburgh Rugby mode and will be working with Duncan [Hodge] to get the players ready for the home match against Ulster and the rest of the season.”

Edinburgh Rugby interim assistant coach, Duncan Hodge, echoed Scott’s sentiment, adding: “As an assistant coach to the Scotland team, my focus is completely on my role in producing a winning team in the RBS 6 Nations.

“However, as someone who played over 150 games for the club, I’m delighted to be given this opportunity to assist Edinburgh Rugby and have an influence on the last five games of the season.”

by **RDW** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:29 pm

by Tramptastic Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:29 pm

I assume this means Back won't be applying/has already been rejected for the head coach position? Huzzah! Sean Lineen in please to get the player's attitude sorted out please!

by **RDW** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:30 pm

Not overly convinced Stevie Scott and Hodge are in the best position for the team for the rest of the season but they can't do worse that Bradley and Back.

Must be some serious behind the scenes issues at Edinburgh. Oh to be a fly on the wall there!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:33 pm

Another SRU debacle - in what way was the Bradley situation ever going to last till the end of May - farce. Ah well, at least they're gone now

by EWT Spoons Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:35 pm

Delighted that Back has gone as well.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:47 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Another SRU debacle - in what way was the Bradley situation ever going to last till the end of May - farce. Ah well, at least they're gone now

It would have made sense to make Bradley finish hsi contract off and save the expense of paying him off, and allowing an 'overlooker' to look into signings for next season etc.

by **RDW** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:49 pm

I suspect paying off just means paying the remainder of his contract - which they would have to do anyway.

There must have been serious long term consequences if they were to carry on for them to have their contracts ended (Back especially, a year early!)- so it is quite a drastic measure

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 06 Mar 2013, 2:53 pm

RDW - I assume with them gone then things like season ticket sales (and tickets for the remainder of the season) etc are far less likely to take an impact due to the slump this season, and with the SRU appointing their own men in there (from a winning background) then I guess theoretically things should even pick up.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:08 pm

This is very welcome news, particularly the exit of Neil Back. After his articles in The Times the other day I was terrified he may be given the job.

Bradley has been a disaster for Edinburgh, and Neil Back has overseen a poor pack become even less effective.

The whole coaching staff should have been sacked straight after the 1872 fixtures and Lineen and Mercer brought in (demotion or otherwise). We know they work well. They have a proven track record. They know the players. Let's stop messing around!

Chances of me renewing my season ticket have increased substantially with this news.

by Kingshu Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:18 pm

For other teams this is very worring indeed, not just that Edinburgh could rise to Glasgows level fairly quickly, but worse, Bradley is free to apply for other coaching roles!

by Solid8 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:20 pm

Just wondering about the ramifications of this announcement, could it be that the SRU are starting to move towards a permanent national coach who would prefer to appoint his own coaching staff? If this is the case, is this sideways move to give Scott and Hodge the opportunity to achieve something and stay within the SRU professional coaching setup?

by Solid8 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:21 pm

Kingshu wrote:For other teams this is very worring indeed, not just that Edinburgh could rise to Glasgows level fairly quickly, but worse, Bradley is free to apply for other coaching roles!

There may be an opportunity coming soon for an experienced coach such as Bradley to take charge of the Irish team. Run

by **George Carlin** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:23 pm

This is hilarious on the back of Neil Back's jovial recent interviews saying that he'd like to be considered for the head coach's job. picard

I wonder how long the McBumferties laughed in his face before telling him to collect his paycheque and stop scratching his balls in front of their cheval glass.

This was obviously necessary but cringe making nonetheless - I don't recall a club/franchise coach ever leaving mid-season before.

Whom will it be next? Lineen and Mercer would be good, but I don't think that Lineen would do it. Lots of good coaches - would love to see Kenny Murray given a shot. I think that it might be someone like Eddie O'Sullivan, though. No bad thing. They have strive for someone as good as Schmidt though. They need to reach for the stars.

by **RDW** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:29 pm

Would anyone seriously want the job?? Not exactly got much going for us as a club just now...!

by Solid8 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:30 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Would anyone seriously want the job?? Not exactly got much going for us as a club just now...!

Well you say that but Denton's hair is second only to that of Dimitri Yachvilli in terms of glorious flickable locks on the rugby pitch!

by aitchw Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:35 pm

Can't comment on Bradley but where Neil Back is concerned I have had serious doubts about his progress in coaching from the start of the unsuccessful experiment at Leeds. He's a big name but that isn't a guarantee of ability in coaching. Not enough time served in less responsible or less high profile coaching to have developed the skills needed in my opinion and from what I've seen isn't close to justifying appointment as head coach anywhere in top flight rugby. In the forwards coaching role hasn't proved anything at Edinburgh either.

I genuinely wish him well, he was a legend for England, and hope he finds the opportunity develop into the coach his playing career would fit him for.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:36 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Would anyone seriously want the job?? Not exactly got much going for us as a club just now...!

I actually think it's quite an attractive job at the moment. Guaranteed HC qualification (for now) and a hugely underperforming squad, with a fair few good young players on the fringes.

A squad with potential and low expectations from the fans are a perfect recipe for an ambitious coach.

1.Yapp 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.Cox 6.Denton 7.Rennie 8.Talei 9.Laidlaw(c) 10.Leonard 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.NDL 14.Fife 15.Tonks

There is no chance that is the 3rd worst starting XV in the Rabo. No chance.

by **George Carlin** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:45 pm

Besides, have you been to Edinburgh? It's lovely.

I'd take a sh!tty job like cleaning Waverley station toilets with a toothbrush or being Edinburgh head coach provided I could get a nice sandstone duplex with a roof terrace in the New Town.

by Imperialbigdave Wed 06 Mar 2013, 3:59 pm

Michael Bradleys Ireland. Its coming, its inevitable. Dont try and fight it my good Irish fellows.

by Majestic83 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 4:16 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Would anyone seriously want the job?? Not exactly got much going for us as a club just now...!

I actually think it's quite an attractive job at the moment. Guaranteed HC qualification (for now) and a hugely underperforming squad, with a fair few good young players on the fringes.

A squad with potential and low expectations from the fans are a perfect recipe for an ambitious coach.

1.Yapp 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.Cox 6.Denton 7.Rennie 8.Talei 9.Laidlaw(c) 10.Leonard 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.NDL 14.Fife 15.Tonks

There is no chance that is the 3rd worst starting XV in the Rabo. No chance.

Yep i agree, it will be an attractive club for an ambitious coach to come too and turn the team around. Think of the praise a coach would
get if he came in and turned Edinburgh into a competitive and strong team again. I think there will be a lot of good names in for it.

One name who won't be on the team sheet though is Talei, he is off at the end of the season.

by red_stag Wed 06 Mar 2013, 4:18 pm

For the love of god will somebody just hire Craig Chalmers!!

by LeinsterFan4life Wed 06 Mar 2013, 4:26 pm

Imperial, I would love for Bradley to take over the Wolfhounds. His record at A level is impressive to say the least.

by 123456789 Wed 06 Mar 2013, 5:58 pm

I'd like to see them combine the top coaches from the Scottish premiership maybe Kenny Murray as head coach, seeing as Ayr have already won, George Graham as forwards coach and Craig Chalmers as backs coach, then we will be able to restore confidence in club coaches that they can go further in the game rather than the current glass ceiling if it backfires the SRU will be justified in their previous decisions and if it succeeds then everyone's a winner.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 06 Mar 2013, 6:00 pm

Well I'm pleased someone still likes him. His HC run to the semi-final will be fondly remembered - the victory over Toulouse in the QF being Edinburgh's finest hour, but sadly it proved to be a fluke rather than built on firm foundations.

Delighted he's gone. We'll surely beat Ulster on the 22nd now, if for no other reason than to do Glasgow a favour.....

by **George Carlin** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 6:04 pm

red_stag wrote:For the love of god will somebody just hire Craig Chalmers!!

Apparently he's available for pantomime and bar mitzvahs.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Wed 06 Mar 2013, 7:12 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well I'm pleased someone still likes him. His HC run to the semi-final will be fondly remembered - the victory over Toulouse in the QF being Edinburgh's finest hour, but sadly it proved to be a fluke rather than built on firm foundations.

Delighted he's gone. We'll surely beat Ulster on the 22nd now, if for no other reason than to do Glasgow a favour.....

Thanks mate

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Wed 06 Mar 2013, 7:41 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I suspect paying off just means paying the remainder of his contract - which they would have to do anyway.

There must have been serious long term consequences if they were to carry on for them to have their contracts ended (Back especially, a year early!)- so it is quite a drastic measure

Someone shouldve told Leeds that before they tried to screw Key

by **RDW** Wed 06 Mar 2013, 9:20 pm

Yeah I suppose credit where credit is due - Bradley oversaw two of my favourite ever rugby experiences; that win over Toulouse (on my 25th birthday!) then the incredible trip to Dublin and the great experience that was the semi final.

Other than that though, everything else was dreadful. picard

by **Notch** Thu 07 Mar 2013, 3:19 am

Can't decide whether this is a bonus for Ulster in our next game or the opposite.

by **RDW** Thu 07 Mar 2013, 9:07 am

Notch – no coaching team, discontent in the players, no confidence, poor tactics, low crowd – these are the kind of games Edinburgh always end up winning somehow!

The Hootsman today is suggesting that young Tommy Allan might be assigned to Edinburgh next season. Just what we need – another 19 year old stand off!

They were also beating the drums about Heathcoat too, which is a bit more promising. I know he is young too but he has had a couple of years experience with Bath so will actually be our most experienced 10!

I sincerely hope we can shift Piers Francis a year early.

by MacKnocked-on Thu 07 Mar 2013, 12:03 pm

I'd rather Heathcote stays at Bath presently, he looks like he's becoming their first choice 10. Unless there's some pressure on Bath from the RFU to play an english 10 instead of him then I think it benefits Scotland as there will still be an opportunity at Edinburgh to bring a player through with Heathcote playing high level rugby for Bath. Heathcote and Weir do look like the most likely to battle it out for the Scotland shirt for years to come.

by **RDW** Thu 07 Mar 2013, 12:12 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:I'd rather Heathcote stays at Bath presently, he looks like he's becoming their first choice 10. Unless there's some pressure on Bath from the RFU to play an english 10 instead of him then I think it benefits Scotland as there will still be an opportunity at Edinburgh to bring a player through with Heathcote playing high level rugby for Bath. Heathcote and Weir do look like the most likely to battle it out for the Scotland shirt for years to come.

George Ford is moving to Bath, who is seen to be their version of the Messiah!

by **George Carlin** Thu 07 Mar 2013, 12:25 pm

And Ford's dad is a senior deity in the Bath set-up. Whistle

So no rats to be smelled there...

If I was Heathcote I'd be booking my regular table at Martin Wishart right now.

by Bathman_in_London Thu 07 Mar 2013, 1:01 pm

Hey keep your hands off our boy! He is under contract for another year thanks!

He is getting a good run of games at 10 and I would be really really peed off if we limply allow him to go up to edinburgh. As a Bath academy product and international we should be trying to hold on to him.

As a general point though, if he is playing regularly at Bath at 10, surely its better not to have him at a Scottish club in that in means more SQPs playing top level rugby?

by funnyExiledScot Thu 07 Mar 2013, 1:13 pm

I said a month or so back that Heathcote should come to Edinburgh, but if he's going to continue playing 1st XV rugby at Bath (a big if), then for the reasons noted above I'd rather he stay there.

If we don't sign Heathcote we should throw the kitchen sink behind Harry Leonard. Definitely worth backing to the hilt in my view. Good hands, quick pass, good pace, nice side step and he can kick goals (should Laidlaw not be able to play). With Laidlaw inside, Scott outside and Tonks at 15 there's enough experience in the backs to counter his inexperience.

Francis (or preferrably Allan) and Hunter to provide back-up. A worrying lack of experience maybe, but I'm growing less and less a fan of players being picked for "experience". I think 10 of the worst selections of all time were based on that criterion.

by MacKnocked-on Thu 07 Mar 2013, 1:46 pm

Bathman_in_London wrote:Hey keep your hands off our boy! He is under contract for another year thanks!

He is getting a good run of games at 10 and I would be really really peed off if we limply allow him to go up to edinburgh. As a Bath academy product and international we should be trying to hold on to him.

As a general point though, if he is playing regularly at Bath at 10, surely its better not to have him at a Scottish club in that in means more SQPs playing top level rugby?

I agree.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 07 Mar 2013, 1:49 pm

It really all comes down to whether he'll actually play at Bath or not, and I don't mean a small handful of LV Cup matches.

If he's getting games, then I'm happy for him to stay at Bath. Increases our options.

by Cryptoyourisan Thu 07 Mar 2013, 7:14 pm

So, who replaces them long-term and how easily will they be able to jettison all the gash players Bradley has brought in? Even I would be reluctant to take the Edinburgh job given that it'll probably take two or three seasons just to get them back to where they were under Robinson.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 08 Mar 2013, 9:49 am

I think the duo of Lineen and Mercer have a strong case, and I'd like the top club coaches to at least be considered for the role.

EOS is being talked about as well, and if Scotland don't want SJ, then a 4 year contract at Edinburgh may tempt him.

Bryan Redpath may apply as well I suspect. Would be a chance for him to redeem himself after the mess at Sale.

by aitchw Fri 08 Mar 2013, 9:55 am

Surely you wouldn't want Redpath. He hasn't exactly excelled in either of his head coaching roles. 3 games in charge isn't great to judge coaches on but the present interim team have a couple more to play and might yet take Scotland to a higher finishing position than in recent years. If they do they must be worth considering surely.

by **RDW** Fri 08 Mar 2013, 9:56 am

I wouldn't overly want Redpath.

I hope they can get a Dean Ryan type figure for the forwards - they really need it. Everything Neil Back promised to be but failed miserably.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 08 Mar 2013, 10:34 am

Richie Rees off the Dragons

by red_stag Fri 08 Mar 2013, 10:39 am

Eddie O'Sullivan could actually be a good option provided he had a good forwards coach alongside him.

He is actually a very talented backs coach and that way he likes to control absolutely everything might be what Edinburgh need.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 08 Mar 2013, 10:42 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Richie Rees off the Dragons

Makes sense. Laidlaw clearly a 9 now, and Kennedy and Hidalgo-Clyne as reserves.

Not been a bad player this season Rees, but we need to develop Scottish talent at 9, and Kennedy and H-C are both highly promising.

I don't think I'd want Redpath either, was just listing out some possibles. Knowing the SRU the search will involve 10 minutes on Google.

by **RDW** Fri 08 Mar 2013, 10:50 am

Aye good move for both parties I think. Rees has been one of our better players this year but with Laidlaw starting and Kennedy coming back it makes sense. Excited to see how Kennedy develops – was very impressed with him when he played at Glasgow and would be good if he cemented the number 2 scrum half spot. Certainly lightyears better than Alex Black, and Chris Leck is a good solid pro to have.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 08 Mar 2013, 11:09 am

Chris Leck is another I'd let go. Nice guy and good pro, but I don't think he offers more than Kennedy personally, and Hidalgo-Clyne has been good with the U20s so deserves a chance or two next season to step up.

by **RDW** Fri 08 Mar 2013, 11:14 am

I think he’s handy to have around because it would then leave 2 guys just starting out their careers, should Laidlaw get injured or be away with Scotland – Leck is a good solid pro with plenty experience. I’d say Sam Clyne is a year or so away from being a genuine contender too – he is very raw.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 08 Mar 2013, 11:27 am

I'm just thinking as a fan really, and what I'd rather watch.

An NSQ journeyman or a raw yet talented Scots qualified youngster.

Why not ditch Leck and keep Rees? At least that way we're keeping a better NSQ player.

by Imperialbigdave Fri 08 Mar 2013, 1:24 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'm just thinking as a fan really, and what I'd rather watch.

An NSQ journeyman or a raw yet talented Scots qualified youngster.

Why not ditch Leck and keep Rees? At least that way we're keeping a better NSQ player.

Given the choice id rather keep Leck than Rees. Leck doesnt do anything flashy, but he does the basics required of his position, something a lot of the squad cant claim. He gets the ball out of the ruck much quicker than Rees, and has a better pass (hes got one of the best passes off the floor ive seen tbh). Rees fannies about and arm waves far too much, and its a 50/50 bet wether his box kixks are going to get charged down aswell.

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