Davis to lead Edinburgh Defence

Edinburgh Rugby is delighted to confirm the appointment of highly-experienced Defence Coach, Brad Davis, who will join the club on a two-year deal from Super Rugby side Queensland Reds this summer, as part of a new-look coaching team in the capital.

The 58-year-old Australian brings a wealth of experience from the international arena with the Wallabies and club level, in both codes, having coached in the Super League, English Premiership, the BKT United Rugby Championship, and Super Rugby, in a coaching career spanning more than two decades.

Davis began his coaching career in rugby league with Castleford Tigers before making the transition to rugby union in 2006, joining Bath Rugby as Defence and Skills Coach.

He spent eight years at Bath, during which the club enjoyed considerable success in the English Premiership while also lifting the EPCR Challenge Cup.

From Bath, Davis moved to Wasps as Defence Coach before crossing into the URC with Ospreys.

In 2019, he joined London Irish as Backs and Defence Coach under Head Coach Les Kiss, taking responsibility for both defence and attack before the club’s administration in 2023.

His reputation saw him seconded to the Wallabies from London Irish for the Rugby Championship as Attack Coach and from there rejoined Kiss at Super Rugby side Queensland Reds as Senior Coach, adding Super Rugby experience to an already formidable coaching portfolio – a position he currently holds.

On his appointment, Davis said: “I’m really excited to be taking on this new challenge with Edinburgh.

“Edinburgh is a club with a strong identity, passionate support and huge potential, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience of working in high-performing environments to help drive the team forward.

“The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, and to help build a resilient, consistent and aggressive defence is something that really motivates me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Sean Everitt, said: “Brad is exactly the type of experienced, high-calibre coach we were looking for. His CV speaks for itself: club rugby at the highest level on both sides of the border, URC experience, and international rugby with the Wallabies.

“But what really stood out through our conversations was how quickly it became clear that Brad is the right fit for this group, for this club, and for the direction we’re heading in.

“He brings a senior coaching presence that will add real depth to our staff, and I’m genuinely excited to work alongside him. I have no doubt he’ll make an immediate impact.”

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Brad to Edinburgh Rugby. This is a significant appointment for the club – someone who has operated at the very top of the game, across multiple competitions and at international level, and who is committed to driving us forward.

“Brad had options, and the fact that he chose Edinburgh speaks to the ambition and the direction of travel here. We look forward to seeing the contribution he will make both on the training paddock and within our wider environment.”