Duncan Hodge takes over at Edinburgh Rugby after Alan Solomons steps down
Wednesday 28 September 2016 22:47, UK
Edinburgh Rugby have named Duncan Hodge as acting head coach after Alan Solomons relinquished the role.
Scottish Rugby confirmed the move and said coaches Stevie Scott and Peter Wilkins will remain in their current roles with Edinburgh, who sit ninth in the Guinness PRO12 table after just one win from their opening four games.
Solomons was appointed as head coach at Edinburgh in 2013 and went on to lead the club to the final of the European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2015.
"I have decided to step down," he said. "I understand Scottish Rugby have appointed Duncan Hodge as the new acting head coach and I wish him well.
"I have greatly enjoyed working with the players and coaches and feel I have helped to put the club on a much stronger footing over the past three years and am leaving it in a better place than when I arrived."
Hodge, who was formerly part of Scotland's coaching team, returned to Edinburgh as an assistant coach in November 2015 after playing 150 times for the club over 11 seasons.
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson, said: "Alan came in as head coach at a difficult time in Edinburgh Rugby's history and helped to stabilise and strengthen the club.
"He achieved some notable successes including leading the first Scottish team to a European final of the Challenge Cup in 2015 and back-to-back 1872 Scottish Cup victories over Glasgow Warriors.
"Duncan brings his recent coaching experience from the Scotland national team as well as his long playing career with Edinburgh into the role and he will receive our full support to keep moving the club forward.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for his significant contribution to the Edinburgh club and I wish him well for the future."
