'His CV speaks for itself': Edinburgh appoint new defence coach

Edinburgh have appointed the experienced Australian Brad Davis as their new defence coach from next season.

The 58-year-old former rugby league player is well versed in the UK rugby scene having moved across to union 20 years ago when he became defence and skills coach at Bath and spent seven years at The Rec.

He subsequently ran the defence at Wasps for three years and Ospreys for another three before joining London Irish as an assistant to inbound Wallabies coach Les Kiss for four years until the club went into administration in 2023.

Davis had a brief spell as attack coach under Eddie Jones with Australia before quitting just before the 2023 Rugby World Cup for “family reasons”.

He has worked as a senior assistant coach to Kiss at the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Pacific since 2024 but will join Edinburgh this summer on a two-year deal as part of a reshaped coaching team under head coach Sean Everitt.

“I’m really excited to be taking on this new challenge with Edinburgh,” said Davis, who began his coaching career at Castleford Tigers, where he enjoyed two spells as a player.

“Edinburgh is a club with a strong identity, passionate support and huge potential, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of working in high-performing environments to help drive the team forward.

“The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, and to help build a resilient, consistent and aggressive defence is something that really motivates me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Davis will take over the defence role from Michael Todd, one of three coaches leaving Edinburgh at the end of the season along with attack coach Scott Mathie – who will return to his native South Africa with the Sharks – and skills coach Rob Chrystie.

“Brad is exactly the type of experienced, high-calibre coach we were looking for,” said head coach Everitt, whose side are languishing in 13th place in the URC with no hope of reaching the play-offs and were recently knocked out of the Champions Cup in the last 16 by Leinster.

“His CV speaks for itself: club rugby at the highest level on both sides of the border, URC experience, and international rugby with the Wallabies.

“But what really stood out through our conversations was how quickly it became clear that Brad is the right fit for this group, for this club, and for the direction we’re heading in.

“He brings a senior coaching presence that will add real depth to our staff, and I’m genuinely excited to work alongside him. I have no doubt he’ll make an immediate impact.”

Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth said Davis was “a significant appointment for the club – someone who has operated at the very top of the game, across multiple competitions and at international level, and who is committed to driving us forward.”

“Brad had options, and the fact that he chose Edinburgh speaks to the ambition and the direction of travel here,” Struth added.

“We look forward to seeing the contribution he will make both on the training paddock and within our wider environment.”