Edinburgh complete new-look coaching staff by signing ex-Australia 7s international Hodge

Edinburgh Rugby have finalised their coaching setup for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season by appointing Michael Hodge as skills and contact coach on a two-year contract.

Hodge, 37, joins from the Irish Rugby Football Union, where he served as assistant coach to Ireland Men’s Under-20s and previously held the role of National Elite Player Pathway and Men’s Under-18 Head Coach. A former centre and wing, he represented Australia in Sevens rugby and was part of the NSW Waratahs squad during the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons.

He slots into a coaching group led by head coach Sean Everitt, alongside Tim Sampson (attack), Brad Davis (defence) and Stevie Lawrie (forwards).

“I’m incredibly proud to be joining Edinburgh Rugby,” said Hodge. “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.”

Hodge’s path to Edinburgh has been an unconventional one. After retiring from playing, he began his coaching career in schools rugby before becoming head of high performance at Sydney University Football Club between 2018 and 2021. In spring 2021 he was appointed head coach of Major League Rugby expansion side the Dallas Jackals, but COVID-19-related visa processing delays ultimately prevented him from entering the United States in time for the start of the season. He subsequently served as head of rugby at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, in 2022 before joining the IRFU.

Everitt described the appointment as the final piece of his coaching jigsaw. “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.”

Hodge himself expressed enthusiasm for working under Everitt’s direction. “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.”