Tom Smith is the remaining coach on the Edinburgh staff and he is understood to be keen to remain in the capital and work with Bradley.

The Irishman said on Tuesday that he would be looking at a traditional three-man coaching set-up with a backs coach and forwards coach underneath him.

If he hits it off with Smith then it may be unlikely that Wright - the current Glasgow Hawks director of rugby and Scotland under-20s head coach, and like Smith a former Scotland and Lions prop - would also secure a spot, but that did not put him off.

"I would love the chance to be involved with Edinburgh in whatever capacity Michael thought was worthwhile, even if it was working with Tom," he said. "Coaches get pigeon-holed as 'backs' or 'forwards' when most these days work across the team.

"I want my future settled before I leave at the end of the month for the under-20s World Cup, but I have a few things to think about right now. My three-year contract with Hawks is up and I have a new offer to stay with the club, but there are also possibilities outside Scotland which I have to think seriously about. I am an ambitious person, but it depends on what it is right for me and my family at this moment in time. But, if Michael wanted me involved, I'd definitely be interested."

Chalmers, who steered Melrose to the Premier One Championship and Border League titles this season, and like Wright applied for the Edinburgh head coach post, is similarly enthusiastic and phlegmatic.

Chalmers, another former Scotland and Lions player, said: "Obviously, Michael has now been appointed as the coach and if there are assistant positions available I'd be delighted. That's probably the best natural progression for someone like myself to make into the pro game. I had a great time as a pro player, in Scotland and down south, and I've enjoyed learning the ropes of coaching with Melrose over the past five years or so, and the opportunities I've had with Scotland age-grade teams and with Rob Moffat and Sean Lineen, so I'd like the chance to return to the pro game."

Chalmers, who only coaches part-time, is busy preparing Melrose for their final two weekends in the BSPC Kings of the Sevens circuit, where they head to Selkirk on Saturday with Jed-Forest the final venue the following weekend.

The players are enjoying a light week after winning back-to-back tournaments at Kelso and Earlston, with a bit of touch rugby on the agenda tonight.

One of their key players, Scott Wight, trained with Glasgow Warriors on Monday and is moving near to his long-awaited step-up into the professional game. Glasgow coach Sean Lineen said yesterday: "I have been impressed with Scott and he fitted in well on Monday; he's a credit to the Borders and the club game.

"We have some talking to do now before we decide the next step, but I have little doubt that Scott would add something to our squad if we do sign him up."

As for Chalmers's own prospects, the Melrose coach was keen to wish Bradley success, but confirmed that there had been no contact from the new coach or the SRU.

"I don't know Michael that well," he added. "I played against him on a number of occasions and there is a lot of good talk about him as a coach.

"People look at where Connacht finished in the league in the last few years but, when you look at the budget he had and the playing strength, he has done well to make Connacht competitive and take most of the big scalps in his time.

"He was highly thought of in Ireland and obviously brings a lot of experience of professional rugby to Edinburgh. The SRU have clearly seen good qualities in him.

"But I have not had any contact from the SRU and I don't know whether they are interested in me stepping up. People like myself, Peter, Ally Donaldson at Currie and Kenny Murray at Ayr have been working very hard for some time now to develop our coaching with the SRU, and at our clubs, and I think this would be a good opportunity to promote a club coach and give them the chance at the next level, whether it's me or someone else.

"It is important to encourage ambition in coaches, just as it is in players, and show that there is a route up the way in Scotland."

This article was posted on 5-May-2011, 06:35 by Hugh Barrow.