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Cape Town - Scottish club, Edinburgh, on Thursday announced that head coach Alan Solomons has signed a 12-month extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until June 2016.
The capital side recently became the first Scottish team to reach a European Cup Final. After defeating London Irish and Newport Dragons in the latter stages they played Gloucester in the final at The Stoop, eventually going down 19-13.
After a difficult start to the 2014/15 season, Solomons has led the team to an improvement in fortunes with victory in the 1872 Cup v Glasgow Warriors and a playoff spot for the European Champions Cup still within reach.
Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson told Edinburgh’s official website: “Everyone at Scottish Rugby acknowledges the contribution Alan has made in bringing Edinburgh to a major cup final and improving its league position.
“From the outset we set him the task of rebuilding the club, with Scottish players at its core and to develop young talent. This is now generating the results we hoped for and I am delighted he will continue his progress at Edinburgh Rugby.”
Solomons’ vision has been to build a sustainable club through young indigenous and Scottish-qualified talent, which he feels can be best developed through playing in a successful team, with a good thread of experience.
Solomons commented: “We set ourselves the target, at the start of the season, of being in the top six in the league this year and although this is no longer possible we are still challenging for a playoff spot for the European Champions Cup. Reaching the final of the European Challenge Cup and winning the 1872 Cup have been equally pleasing and that’s testament to the hard work of the players as well as the commitment of all our backroom staff.
“The challenges we’ve faced as a squad this year have been enormous - the injury count in the home game against Lyon being a case in point - but on each occasion we have risen to the challenge.
“I feel we’re moving into the next phase of our development as a squad and that’s really exciting. We are progressing but there is still a long way to go. I am absolutely focused on continuing this progress and realising the vision.”
Solomons joined Edinburgh in 2013 after being Director of Rugby at the Southern Kings. He is also a former Springboks assistant coach as well as head coach of the Stormers and Western Province.
