Edinburgh Rugby confirm Mike Coman to join London Irish
Monday 1 February 2016 17:02, UK
Edinburgh Rugby have confirmed that captain and flanker Mike Coman will leave the club for London Irish at the end of the season.
Coman, 28, joined the capital outfit from Hawke's Bay Magpies in 2013 and was named club captain at the start of last season, leading the team to a European Challenge Cup final and back-to-back 1872 Scottish Cup wins.
He said: "It was a really tough decision to move on. Edinburgh feels like home now and I've had a great two and a half years here, but moving on to a new challenge feels like the right decision at this time.
"The club has changed a lot since I joined, Alan Solomons and the other coaches have done a great job.
"When I first arrived there were a lot of changes going on. When look around now, I see a club becoming sustainable with a lot of young guys who are shaping up to be great for Edinburgh Rugby.
"The biggest thing I'll take away, however, is the camaraderie. I've made friends for life at Edinburgh so it will be really tough to say goodbye."
Head coach Alan Solomons said: "Mike will be sorely missed by all at Edinburgh Rugby.
"Mike is one of the finest men I have met and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to coach and work with him. On behalf of all at Edinburgh rugby we wish him well in his new venture."
Coman will move to join the London Irish club at the end of this season.
Irish's head of rugby operations Glenn Delaney said: "The addition of Mike to our squad for next season is a huge coup for London Irish.
"He is a proven leader and will bring plenty of physicality to our pack."
