EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN
EDINBURGH Rugby today saw rivals Glasgow snatch Sean Lineen as head coach - as the Warriors sacked long-serving mentor Hugh Campbell.

But, while Lineen's appointment is promotion from his back-up role at Glasgow, it was revealed by Gordon McKie, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union who own all three domestic districts, that the Gunners need to re- advertise for a successor to Todd Blackadder.

The coach is returning to New Zealand at the end of the season but Lineen - who had appeared favourite for the role - was ruled out after applying on grounds that continuity was needed at Glasgow.

"Not even Sean Lineen ticked all the boxes at Edinburgh because he has not previously been a head coach," said McKie.

While some might interpret that to mean that the ex-Boroughmuir and Scotland centre was not good enough for Edinburgh but acceptable to the team along the M8, both Lineen and McKie was anxious to dispel that impression.

Lineen said: "Edinburgh is the Rolls Royce of Scottish Rugby given they have the majority of the Scotland squad.

"On the one hand it would have been good to work with so many quality players but I am more than happy to be taking my career forward as a head coach for the first time at Glasgow where there is plenty for me to learn."

On a similar theme McKie said: "Edinburgh is a different challenge at this time. At Edinburgh there are ten guys who are all steeped in the international team. It is not so much that Edinburgh need tender loving care but they do need to continue along present lines. We have to make sure what is there [at Edinburgh] isn't changed, where a shake up was needed at Glasgow."

One consequence of Lineen's appointment will almost certainly lead to national coach Frank Hadden filling a gap in his back room team where a new three-quarter line guru will be required.

"I do not anticipate going on Scotland's summer tour of South Africa as I have a young family and need to re-energise myself for next season. Then I will consider it amazing if I still find myself involved with Scotland given that I have the chance to put my mark on Glasgow," said Lineen.

The departure of Campbell will be felt in the Capital as the ex-Scotland prop had strong connections both at Watsonians and Edinburgh Acads.

Lineen summed up the mood in the game when he said: "Hugh is a top bloke who will surely not be lost to Scottish rugby - he'll bounce back."

A statement issued by the SRU at a hastily convened media conference in Glasgow today said: "Hugh...will be considering other options within Scottish Rugby, which include moving into a specialist coaching role."

This article was posted on 28-Mar-2006, 13:48 by Hugh Barrow.