SRU appoints Pollock as new U18 head coach

Stirling County’s director of rugby, Eddie Pollock, has been appointed in a new combined role of specialist coaching co-ordinator and Scotland under-18 head coach, the SRU announced yesterday.

The former Scotland under-21 assistant coach and East Lothian development officer will primarily be responsible for the Scotland under-18 age grade squad and the delivery of the regional and national specialist skills programme, which supports and develops specialist coaches in school, club and national rugby.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back working with Scottish Rugby. I really enjoyed the last time I was involved with the organisation and since then I have gone away and gained a great deal of experience.

“This new role I believe is a very important one and I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into it. There are a lot of skilled coaches in school and club rugby in Scotland, so I want to make sure that they are given the best opportunity to showcase and advance their abilities.”

As part of his role Pollock will line manage the specialist skills coaches for the Scotland national team - Massimo Cuttita (scrum) and Duncan Hodge (lineout) – as well as working with the specialist skills coaches already involved with the programme. These include John Dalziel (Melrose - restarts and lineout), Craig Chalmers (Melrose - attack), Mark McKenzie (Scottish Rugby Regional Academy Coach - kicking), Hugh Campbell (no club affiliation - scrum) and Simon Cross (Edinburgh Accies - defence).

Head of coach development, Henry Edwards, said: “Scottish Rugby is thrilled to welcome Eddie Pollock to Scottish Rugby.

“Eddie has a lot of coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table that will help us develop coaches and players.

“We undertook an extensive interview process in order to find the right candidate, with 17 applications to be considered. But we and the age grade appointment group, who were supported by John Jeffrey, believe that Eddie is an ideal fit for the position.”

Eddie Pollock, a PE teacher by trade, spent seven years with Scottish Rugby between 1996 and 2003. During this time he worked as a development officer in East Lothian and Stirling and as assistant coach to David Leslie’s under-21 squad. He also spent some time in San Diego coaching the Old Mission Athletic Club who he led to victory in the 2006 American Super League.