Edinburgh coaching revamp continues with hiring of second Australian

Edinburgh have handed Australian Tim Sampson the task of reshaping their faltering attack next season after continuing their coaching revamp under Sean Everitt.

The capital side announced on Tuesday that another Aussie, Brad Davis, would succeed Michael Todd – one of three assistants heading out the door – as defence coach.

Sampson, 49, has been attack coach with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific since 2024 after two years in a similar role with the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels.

That followed a five-year spell as head coach of Western Force, where he oversaw their reinstatement to Super Rugby during the Covid-hit campaigns of 2020 and 2021 before leading them to a ninth-placed finish, just outside the play-offs, in 2022.

Edinburgh are hoping Sampson can kick-start an attack that has stuttered badly this term, only managing four tries or more in six of their 19 games and averaging only 2.95 tries per match, down from an average of 3.85 during Everitt’s second campaign in charge last season.

A former fly-half and centre as a player, Sampson started his coaching career with Sunnybank and Easts in Queensland Premier Rugby before head coach roles at Tuggeranong Vikings and Canberra Vikings in the Australian Capital Territory preceded his move to Perth with Western Force.

Sampson will succeed Scott Mathie – who is returning to South Africa with the Sharks – at Edinburgh, which will be his first coaching role in the northern hemisphere.

“Tim is an outstanding coach and a fantastic addition to our staff,” said head coach Everitt.

“His record speaks for itself. He has been a head coach at Super Rugby level, he has worked across multiple competitions, and right now he is running one of the most exciting attacking systems in Super Rugby Pacific with the Drua.

“What really excites me is the combination of Tim and Brad Davis coming in together. Between them, they bring enormous experience and a senior presence that will add a huge amount of quality to our environment. I believe this coaching group will drive us to the next level, and I can’t wait to work with them both next season.”

Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth said recruiting Sampson and Davis at the same time was “a real statement of intent for this club”.

“Tim is a values-driven coach with an exceptional track record of developing attacking rugby and building strong, high-performing environments,” he added. “We’re looking forward to seeing the impact he will make alongside Sean and Brad.”

Edinburgh also announced earlier this week that forwards coach Stevie Lawrie had been awarded a new two-year deal. Skills coach Rob Chrystie is the third member of Everitt’s current staff who will depart at the end of the season.