Michael Hodge appointed Skills and Contact Coach 

Hodge, 37, joins a coaching group spearheaded by Head Coach Sean Everitt, alongside Tim Sampson (Attack Coach), Brad Davis (Defence Coach) and Stevie Lawrie (Forwards Coach).

He arrives from the IRFU, where he served as Ireland Men’s U20 Assistant Coach, having previously held the role of National Elite Player Pathway and Men’s U18 Head Coach.

On his appointment, Hodge said: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining Edinburgh Rugby. Moving over to Ireland has been a brilliant experience, both personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to continue developing as a coach. But this is a fantastic opportunity and one I couldn’t turn down.

“I’m really looking forward to working under Sean and being part of this new-look coaching team here in Edinburgh. There’s real energy and ambition about the place, and it’s given me a real spark to get started.

“I hope I can bring my experience, both as a player and a coach, to help this group of players continue to develop and grow. I can’t wait for the URC season to get underway and to get stuck in with what is a great squad.”

A former centre / wing, Hodge represented Australian Rugby Sevens as a player, and was part of the NSW Waratahs squad during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

After his playing career, he moved into coaching, taking on the 1st XV Head Coach role at NSW’s Cranbrook School in 2015, before progressing to Director of Rugby, and then Head of High Performance, at Sydney University Football Club between 2018 and 2021.

In spring 2021, Hodge was appointed Head Coach of Major League Rugby expansion side the Dallas Jackals, initially taking up the role remotely from Australia before COVID-19-related visa processing delays ultimately prevented him from entering the US in time for the start of the season.

He then took on the role of Head of Rugby at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, in 2022, before his appointment as Elite Player Pathway and Men’s U18 Head Coach at the IRFU in 2024, and has spent the last three seasons in Ireland.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Sean Everitt, said: “It’s great to complete our coaching team for 2026/27. Tim and Brad have already brought new ideas and energy into the environment, and Stevie has continued his brilliant work with our forward pack.

“Michael comes in at a really positive time for the club. He’s a young and highly-rated coach who will bring fresh ideas and expertise to our skills and contact work, and that gives us even more to look forward to as we build towards the new season.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do with this playing group at Edinburgh Rugby.”