Ferguson takes hot seat for a big year at Haddington

Former Scotland A prop Steve Ferguson has been handed the task of capping Haddington Rugby Club's centenary season by steering the Neilson Park club back into Premiership Division Two.

Ferguson has assumed the head coach responsibilities from Stewart Bennet, who has stepped down for personal reasons.

The Borderer brings a wealth of experience, having added spells as a coach at Peebles and Biggar to a lengthy playing career.

He is joined by Les Hamilton, a club stalwart and previous director of rugby, who returns to the club to take over from Rory Couper as backs coach. Couper had intended to remain in the post but has taken up a position with the SRU that precludes him from involvement with the Scarlets.

Meanwhile, Cliff Livingstone, another familiar face, will occupy the director of rugby position and the four-strong coaching team is completed by John Stewart, who has responsibility for the second XV.

There are also new faces at the helm along the road at Musselburgh, where Brian Hughes and Grant Talac have taken on the coaching responsibilities.

Haddington will kick off their league campaign with a trip to meet Perthshire, while 'Burgh, who ended last season with a flourish, will host Hamilton.