RICHARD COCKERILL has been appointed as Head Coach of Edinburgh from next season onwards.
The former England international, who has won three Premiership titles in his home country, signed a two-year deal with the capital club on Monday.
He will take over from current Acting Head Coach Duncan Hodge at the end of the season, with Hodge returning to his former role as backs coach for the Pro12 outfit.
Assistant coaches Stevie Scott and Pete Wilkins will also remain in their positions under the Leicester Tigers legend.
Cockerill led the Tigers to Premiership semi-finals in every campaign he was in charge of the club and won league titles in 2009, 2010 and 2013 as well as reaching the 2009 Heineken Cup final.
He revealed on his arrival that the opportunity to work with an ambitious club in a new league was too tempting to turn down.
“I am very much looking forward to a new challenge and the opportunity at Edinburgh Rugby ticked all the boxes," he said.
"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 and Scott Johnson 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.”
Scottish Rugby Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson said: “It was important for us to ensure Edinburgh Rugby can develop a more consistent winning record and challenge for higher places in the Guinness PRO12.
“There is an ambitious group at Edinburgh, many of them young, Scottish players and I think they will benefit from Richard’s experience.
“I believe we have strong roster of coaches now across the board in the professional game in Scotland and we look forward to seeing our teams progress and players develop, which ultimately will support the Scotland national team.”
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