Edinburgh statement: The appointment of Steve Diamond

Edinburgh have confirmed that Steve Diamond has joined as lead rugby consultant until the end of the current season. Head coach Mike Blair last month signalled his intention to step away from that role at the end of this campaign and the Scottish URC franchise have reacted by bringing in Diamond, the former Sale and Worcester director of rugby, to oversee things across the next few months.

It was Thursday when RugbyPass exclusively reported that Diamond would be joining Edinburgh with immediate effect and the club corroborated this story with Friday afternoon’s confirmation that the coach was indeed moving to the URC after years of service in the Gallagher Premiership in England.

A statement read: “Edinburgh Rugby has today appointed Steve Diamond as its lead rugby consultant, with the former Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors director of rugby joining until the end of the 2022/23 season. Diamond will join Edinburgh Rugby on Monday, March 20, and work with the existing coaching team.

“Diamond takes post as Edinburgh Rugby prepare for two vital away fixtures against Connacht and Leicester Tigers later this month, with both a place in the BKT URC top eight and Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals still up for grabs.”

Diamond said: “I’m really excited to take on this role until the end of the season. Edinburgh Rugby is a club with great tradition and history and provides an opportunity to coach in the BKT URC. From the outside looking in, Edinburgh Rugby is a club on the rise. The talent is there, the fanbase is there, while there seems to be a brilliant buzz around the city with the team moving into its new home.

“I’m really looking forward to linking up with Mike, the coaching staff and the players next week. There are still some massive games to come for the club, including a Champions Cup round of 16 tie at Welford Road. We have a really exciting challenge ahead of us and it is one I am relishing.”

Edinburgh Rugby managing director Douglas Struth added: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to the club. His appointment provides additional leadership and insight for the club as we look to finish the URC season on a high, while preparing for this month’s crucial Champions Cup Round of 16 tie against Leicester with the opportunity to progress deep into European competition still very much alive.

“With over 20 years of coaching experience in professional rugby, Steve will also play a key role in setting up our pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign, ready for a new head coach to arrive and hit the ground running. I’m sure all Edinburgh Rugby supporters will join us in welcoming Steve to the club as he takes charge of match preparations in just over a week’s time."

Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson said: “This is an important time in the season, and we wanted to provide additional support and expertise to the coaching group in light of Mike Blair’s decision to step down at the end of the campaign.

“Steve’s experience speaks for itself, and we see his interim role as strengthening further a talented coaching and playing group which still has a lot to play for and our focus on securing an improved run of results in the coming weeks. Edinburgh Rugby is an attractive club and we have had significant interest in the head coach role and Steve’s appointment also gives us some space to review our options in the coming weeks.”