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Edinburgh have appointed former Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond as their “lead rugby consultant” until the end of this season.<\/span><\/p>\n Head coach Mike Blair announced last month he was <\/span>stepping down from his role<\/span><\/a> at the United Rugby Championship club when the campaign ends.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth says Diamond will provide “additional leadership and insight”.<\/span><\/p>\n Blair will remain as part of the coaching set-up.<\/span><\/p>\n Struth added: “With over 20 years of coaching experience in professional rugby, Steve will also play a key role in setting up our pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign, ready for a new head coach to arrive and hit the ground running.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m sure all Edinburgh Rugby supporters will join us in welcoming Steve to the club as he takes charge of match preparations in just over a week’s time.”<\/span><\/p>\n Diamond coached Sale from 2012 to 2020 and was <\/span>latterly in charge of Worcester Warriors<\/span><\/a> until the club entered administration in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n Diamond was <\/span>still heading a consortium<\/span><\/a> looking to take over failed Worcester until as recently as 1 February, when rival bidders <\/span>Atlas were appointed by the club’s administrators<\/span><\/a> as their new owners.<\/span><\/p>\n The 55-year-old’s first game in charge is a trip to Connacht on 25 March, with Edinburgh currently sitting 12th in the URC table and facing an uphill battle to reach the play-offs.<\/span><\/p>\n The club also face Leicester in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup at the end of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m really excited to take on this role until the end of the season,” Diamond said. “Edinburgh Rugby is a club with great tradition and history and provides an opportunity to coach in the BKT URC.<\/span><\/p>\n “From the outside looking in, Edinburgh Rugby is a club on the rise. The talent is there, the fanbase is there, while there seems to be a brilliant buzz around the city with the team moving into its new home.<\/span><\/p>\n