Edinburgh Rugby coach appointment completes overhaul for new season as Aussie arrives from Ireland

Hodge, 37, arrives from Irish rugby and is the third new addition to Sean Everitt’s backroom team as the club look to kick on after a disappointing 2025-26 season.

Edinburgh missed out on the United Rugby Championship play-offs for the third time in four years, finishing 12th in the regular season.

Everitt was awarded a new contract but Edinburgh have revamped the team behind the head coach, bringing in Tim Sampson and Brad Davis as their attack and defence coaches, replacing Scott Mathie and Michael Todd, respectively.

Rob Chrystie also left his role as skills coach, with Hodge now coming in on a two-year deal. Hodge was assistant coach of Ireland men's under-20 team, having previously held the role of national elite player pathway and men's U18 head coach with the Irish Rugby Football Union where he has spent the last three years.

Couldn’t turn it down

Hodge was appointed head coach of Major League Rugby expansion side the Dallas Jackals in spring 2021, 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.

A former centre and wing, he represented Australia at sevens and was part of the NSW Waratahs squad from 2013 to 2014.

“I'm incredibly proud to be joining Edinburgh Rugby,” he said. “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.

New ideas, new energy

“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.”

Edinburgh open the 2026-27 URC campaign away to Ulster on September 25. Before that, they will play pre-season games against Ulster and Harlequins.

Everitt said he was looking forward to Hodge joining the coaching team alongside Sampson, Davis and forwards coach Stevie Lawrie who has been retained.

“It's great to complete our coaching team for 2026-27,” Everitt, said. “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.”