Rugby: McKie believes CVs will already be in the post for Edinburgh job

Published on Friday 5 June 2009 10:26

APPLICATIONS to succeed Andy Robinson as Edinburgh head coach are already in the post, SRU chief executive Gordon McKie believes.

"We'll start advertising at the beginning of next week but I'm sure some CVs came in on the first day," said McKie, who is adamant that Robinson's experience as a club coach will help him make reasoned judgements about when to call for Edinburgh and Glasgow players to be used sparingly at international time.

The message is that Robinson will have seen both sides and will not allow national ambitions to ride roughshod over club aspirations.

"Andy will still be around and will be watching Edinburgh and Glasgow training. The important thing is that he is not lost to these organisations and it will be down to him and the other two coaches to look at the total picture."

Competitions such as the Celtic League have been criticised for allowing teams to field weakened sides around international windows but McKie believes a balance can be struck.

"On questions like whether players who are really tired during the internationals should also play in the Magner's League, Andy Robinson will bring a discipline to long-term planning.

"At the same time, (club) coaches are measured on their results.

"So they could not allow the national coach to come in and say 'rest ten players' because that would impact on their results. "There has to be give and take."

EDINBURGH are in the process of lining up top-class English opposition for their opening pre-season friendly in the Capital.

Details are on the point of being finalised although it is also understood that unlike last year, when Wasps were entertained at Murrayfield, the opening fixture will be taken to a club ground such as Myreside.