Rugby: Graham quick to throw hat into the ring

Published on Friday 5 June 2009 10:26

EX-SCOTLAND forwards coach George Graham has quickly declared an interest in the vacancy at Edinburgh Rugby created by Andy Robinson's move upstairs to take charge of the international side.

And, for 43-year-old Graham, the opening might have come at the ideal time after he gained experience as a head coach at Italian side Petrarca when he left his Murrayfield post.

Graham said: "I'm now back in Britain because my family were unable to settle in Italy and would like to stay involved in rugby.

"Quietness has never really been my thing and, with me over there and the family at home, it was never going to work out.

"There was no bad blood between myself and anybody at Murrayfield when I left the SRU and I'd like to think I've learned a lot more about coaching over the past year.

"I went to Italy to learn and, if things were done a bit differently over there, we both had to learn to change.

"I know virtually all the lads in the Edinburgh set-up and the potential is huge. Andy Robinson has left a fantastic legacy and my only reservation might be that his are big boots to fill.

"Unless you are a big-name coach you might find it hard to step in but I suppose he'll be based only 100 metres away from the Edinburgh office so I imagine he'll always be around.

"I've seen how things work at Edinburgh and been impressed.

"That makes me all the more certain that Andy is going to do a first-class job with Scotland."

SRU chief executive Gordon McKie expects Robinson's successor to be named "within a month" and by then Edinburgh will know their Heineken European Cup opponents with the draw scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

Edinburgh chief executive Nic Cartwright says no stone will be left unturned to find a suitable successor.

"Edinburgh's head coach role is arguably one of the most attractive jobs around and I'm sure we will attract the interest of coaches with the right skill-set and mindset to continue the progress that has been made.

"Whoever is the most suitable applicant will inherit a talented young squad who are eager to learn and with a tremendous team spirit. Edinburgh is an ambitious club and, now the first couple of phases have been initiated, we will carry on until we fulfil our potential."

Paying tribute to Robinson, Cartwright added: "Andy's professionalism and knowledge has enabled Edinburgh to progress at a phenomenal rate over the past two seasons."