Rugby: Accies relying on Easson to help them bounce back

Published on 17/06/2010 09:53

EDINBURGH ACCIES will rely on Andrew Easson assisting new coach Simon Cross as they bid to bounce straight back to Premiership Division One next season.

Easson, the Edinburgh Rugby centre, will be following in the footsteps of his dad Bob, who coached at Raeburn Place during the 1990s.

Along with his coaching duties, though, Easson Jnr will be looking to get his own playing career back on track.

The 24-year-old former Scotland age-group three-quarter has been dogged by injuries including a knee problem which put him out from last September.

Cross takes over from Ian Barnes but Accies are also announcing that ex-Scotland star Tom Philip will remain involved despite currently playing rugby league with Whitehaven.

The Accies website states: "Tom Philip, who is continuing his comeback ... will be involved with fitness programmes for the players."

Meanwhile, Heriot's have announced the recruitment of former Scotland B full-back Mark Appleson, an Edinburgh teacher, as their new backs coach for next season.

In addition, the Goldenacre outfit have persuaded former player Andy McLean to return as fitness coach from Bedford Blues where he has established a formidable reputation.

Heriot's say: "This is a major coup as having someone with Andy's experience of working in a full-time professional environment taking ownership of this particular aspect of player development is a crucial step forward."

Heriot's can also expect to be joined by scrum-half Alan Bennie, who is currently earning rave reports in Australia.

Debuting for Newcastle-based Hamilton Hawks against Wanderers, the 18-year-old gained man of the match honours. A report states that Scots-born Bennie is joining Heriot's "in ten weeks".

Scots flanker John Barclay has warned of "angry" Argentinian opponents in Saturday's second Test at Mar del Plata.

But Barclay makes clear the Scots can complete a hat-trick of wins outside a World Cup for the first time since 2002 if they retain discipline.

Referring to last weekend's first Test victory, he says: "We went down early on. We had the ball, we lost the ball and they finished well.

"We didn't panic and the message was 'let's start again'.

"The defence, on the whole, was comfortable throughout and our shape was as good as I've ever seen it.

"Special mention and praise is for the front row – Moray (Low), Chunk (Alan Jacobsen) and Fordy (Ross Ford) didn't give an inch all day and this set the platform." It was the first time Scotland had recorded back-to-back wins outside a World Cup since 1996.