Monday 20 February 2017 10:09, UK
Richard Cockerill has been appointed head coach of Edinburgh Rugby and will take over at the start of next season on a two-year contract.
The former England hooker, capped 27 times by his country, left his role as Leicester director of rugby on January 2 and has since had a spell working as a consultant with Toulon.
Edinburgh acting head coach Duncan Hodge will remain in his current role until the end of the season before returning to his previous position as backs coach with the club, while assistant coaches Stevie Scott and Pete Wilkins will also stay at Myreside.
Cockerill led Leicester to three Premiership titles during his time at Welford Road, as well as LV= Cup glory in 2012.
The 46-year-old also guided the Tigers to the final of the Heineken Cup in 2009, where they lost 19-16 to Leinster.
"I am very much looking forward to a new challenge and the opportunity at Edinburgh Rugby ticked all the boxes," Cockerill told Edinburgh's official website.
"It's a real rugby city, and the club has a lot of potential to grow on, and off, the pitch.
"The conversations I had with Mark Dodson [Scottish Rugby chief executive] and Scott Johnson [Scottish Rugby director of rugby] were instrumental in understanding what the vision for Edinburgh Rugby is and it is a project I'm excited to be a part of.
"I'm also relishing the chance of coaching in the Guinness PRO12, which is a new league for me, and working with a clearly talented group of players."
Dodson was delighted to have brought someone of Cockerill's calibre to the club.
"I am very pleased to have secured Richard's services given how highly sought after he was from leading clubs across Europe," he said.
"As a highly experienced, winning coach we targeted him and worked hard to ensure his talents could be secured for the benefit of Edinburgh Rugby."
