Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach Andrew Kelly is excited about what the FOSROC Super6 means for rugby in Scotland.
The Stewart Melville alumnus, began working at Goldenacre in mid-February and sees his job with Heriot’s Rugby Club as a ‘new start’ at home in Edinburgh.
For the past eight years Kelly lived in Hong Kong as a player, captain then coach helping fill the trophy cabinet at the successful Valley Rugby Football Club, earning a place as forward and scrum coach with the Hong Kong national team.
Kelly was first made aware of the FOSROC Super6 while in Hong Kong, putting his name forward for the role when he heard there was a vacancy.
‘‘From afar I had seen the competition and I liked the idea,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a development pathway and a chance for players to put themselves in the shop window.’’
The former Edinburgh Rugby hooker first watched the Heriot’s Rugby play live in the 24-21 loss against Watsonians in the top-of-the-table FOSROC Super6 match at Myreside last month.
‘‘I was really impressed with the skill level. I think if you look at the team, they are superb in attack. They are dangerous from anywhere,’’ he said.
‘‘To improve, it might be looking at game management as a team. Being a full-time coach give me the chance to take analysis to the next level.’’
Kelly will shadow his coaching staff, including interim Head Coach Phil Smith and Forward Coach Fin Gillies, until the end of the FOSROC Super6 competition before taking charge for the FOSROC Super6 Cross Border competition, which begins in April and continues through May.
‘‘It is a great chance to meeting people involved in the club and competition and chance to get to know the players,’’ he said.
‘‘It is great to come back to Scotland, coaching at Heriot’s Rugby Club is a great honour.’’