FORMER All Blacks captain Mike Brewer has joined Scotland's coaching team as one half of a double appointment which has delighted national coach Frank Hadden.
Brewer will take on the role of forwards coach while Graham Steadman, who has enjoyed an illustrious playing and coaching career in both league and union, will also join the team as defence coach.
The duo are to play a key role in preparing the S
cotland squad for the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests which see New Zealand, South Africa and Canada all visit in November.
Said Hadden: "I'm absolutely delighted with the quality of the additional staff we have appointed to the National Management Team and to the Scottish Rugby coaching group.
"To secure the services of the ex-All Blacks captain is a boost. He is now a very experienced coach having worked in club rugby in Ireland, England and Italy before becoming forwards coach for Leinster.
"Anyone who knows rugby will have been impressed by the progress Leinster, the reigning Magners League champions, have made up front during his three years in that role.
"Graham Steadman is among the most experienced defence coaches in the world having now spent five years in that position in rugby union with firstly Munster and then Ireland. That followed his 21-year-career as an international player and coach in rugby league."
And Brewer himself enthused about the new challenge ahead.
"I'm looking forward to working with Frank and the other coaches," he said.
"Scotland have a young team, with a great work ethic and players who are very keen to learn. I think they have the potential to develop into a really good international side in the next three to four years."
Steadman, who will also undertake defence coaching with the Edinburgh pro team, said: "I have been an admirer of Scotland and the work that Alan Tait has undertaken in the last few seasons.
"I look forward to being part of Frank's coaching team and to getting the players' trust and buy-in to the defensive systems I'll look to put in place.
"I'll also look forward to working alongside Andy Robinson and the coaching team with Edinburgh. It gives me a great opportunity to work with those players and also monitor the performances of Scottish qualified players in the Magners League and Heineken Cup."
The full article contains 397 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
