Scotland hooker Ross Ford has become new Edinburgh head coach Andy Robinson’s first signing for the club.

 
Robinson said of the 23-year-old: “I am really pleased to have an international class hooker joining the squad.

“Ross is a very talented player with huge potential and I look forward to working with him.

Ford, capped 16 times, said: “The prospect of working with Andy was a key factor in making me decide Edinburgh was the right place for me.”

Former Border Reivers number two Ford sealed his switch to Murrayfield after enjoying a productive World Cup, during which he scored his first try for his country.

Robinson believes Fords’ presence will boost competition for places within the club’s front row.

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“We are always looking to strengthen our playing staff and his arrival will provide good competition for the other hookers we have in our squad, Andrew Kelly and Steven Lawrie.”

The in-form front rower could make his Edinburgh debut in the Magners League match at Connacht on 26 October before the Heineken Cup clash against Toulouse on 10 November.

And Ford added: “The Heineken Cup is a great competition with some of the best club players in the world, so I’m really excited about getting stuck into that.

“We could have an all-international front row for the game against Toulouse, so having that experience will stand us in good stead.”

Former England and Bath coach Andy Robinson has signed a three-year contract to take charge of Magners League outfit Edinburgh.

Robinson was officially introduced at a Monday media conference.

And Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie said: “This is a major coup for Edinburgh and Scottish rugby.

“Andy Robinson’s arrival is a clear sign of our very serious intent to build Edinburgh Rugby into a major force in professional rugby.”
 
The 43-year-old Englishman’s appointment as head coach follows a summer of turmoil for Edinburgh.

The club was the subject of an often heated dispute between Bob Carruthers’ franchise and the SRU.

And, when control of the club was returned to the national body, it led to the departure of coach Lynn Howells, while Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham’s move to the club was cancelled.

But the internal problems have not deterred Robinson, who was forced to stand down as England coach in November after a poor run of results.

“My career in rugby has always thrived on challenge and I was instantly attracted to the challenge of taking Edinburgh Rugby forward to the next level,” he said.

“I was fortunate enough to spend my formative years in rugby at Bath, one of the best club rugby sides in history, and I plan to apply what I learned there, and in my international career, to take Edinburgh to new heights.”

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Edinburgh will hope that Robinson will be able to match his success at Bath, who he led to the Heineken Cup, and as deputy to Clive Woodward when England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Edinburgh chairman Gavin Hastings said: “In his 21 years in senior rugby, as both player and coach, Andy Robinson has delivered time and again.

“His appointment to the role of head coach at Edinburgh is a bold, imaginative move that underlines just how serious we are about taking this club forward.”

Robinson, who had an illustrious playing career as a flanker with Bath and England, faces his first test as Edinburgh head coach against Ospreys on Friday.

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham will not be joining Edinburgh, the Scottish club has confirmed. Larkham agreed to make the move in May, but the deal was in doubt after the club returned from private hands into the control of Scottish Rugby.

Nic Cartwright, chief executive of Edinburgh, said the deal was off, adding: “Stephen has opted to secure a new playing contract elsewhere.

“Obviously we wish him well with his next move.”

The 32-year-old former World Cup winner had said he was looking forward to moving to Edinburgh, amid mounting speculation that the SRU would scrap the transfer.