Lawrie signs on to drive Edinburgh pack

Edinburgh Rugby Forwards Coach Stevie Lawrie today extended terms with the capital club, penning a new one-year deal.

Lawrie joined the club’s coaching staff as Assistant Forwards Coach ahead of the 2019/20 season before being promoted to Forwards Coach in 2021/22.

Under Lawrie’s tutelage this season, Edinburgh had the most successful scrum in the URC, while retaining the second-most lineouts in the championship.

Lawrie will return as Forwards Coach alongside Defence Coach Michael Todd, with the club currently recruiting for a new Head Coach to lead the capital side into the 2023/24 campaign.

On his new deal, Lawrie said: “I’m really excited to extend my contract with the club. Edinburgh Rugby has and continues to be a major part of my life. I’m privileged to be the Forwards Coach of my hometown club.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to drive standards next season while improving consistency on the field. We understand performances and results weren’t good enough this year. It’s now my role to work with the new Head Coach to ensure Edinburgh Rugby is back competing at the top end of the table.

“It’s a privilege to come to work every day and work with such a talented squad. We have all the ingredients to succeed – including a brilliant home ground and hugely engaged fan base – but it’s also about creating a robust environment, which translates into positive results.

“I’m really excited to continue the hard work next season. The club is in a great place and there’s so much more to come from this squad.”

Former hooker Lawrie is embedded in the rugby culture of the capital, having played for Currie and Watsonians, and professionally for Edinburgh, where he made 46 appearances during two spells with the club (2005-09 and 2011-14).

Lawrie earned full international honours against Samoa in 2013 and made his first steps into coaching with Heriot’s Rugby in 2015, where he was a key figure in the Goldenacre outfit winning the league championship in 2015 and a league and cup double in 2016.

Lawrie enjoyed coaching roles with Scotland U20 and Watsonians before being appointed as Edinburgh Rugby’s Assistant Forwards Coach ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth added: “We’re delighted to see Stevie extend terms with the club. He has been an integral member of our coaching team for the past four seasons and has developed into a top-class Forwards Coach.

“The players enjoy working with him, while his connection to the club and rugby in the city ensures we maintain the competitive and hard-nosed qualities that come hand-in-hand with an Edinburgh pack.

“We’re excited to see Stevie work alongside Michael [Todd] and Steve [Diamond] this summer as we continue to recruit for a new Head Coach to lead the club into the new campaign.”