Edinburgh have confirmed the appointment of Scott Mathie to the club's coaching staff.

He takes over as backs and attack coach from Rob Chrystie, who is moved to a new role as 'skills and off the ball coach'.

But who is Mathie, the 41-year-old South African, recruited having won the USA's Major League Rugby the past two seasons?

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We take a look at his background both as a player and a coach.

His rugby journey began in his hometown of Durban, South Africa, where he excelled as a scrum-half – earning a place in the South Africa U19 squad – before he continued his career at the University of Pretoria.

Mathie's professional playing career began at the Bulls in 2004, where he spent two seasons before joining the Sharks. 

In 2008, Mathie attracted the attention of Leeds Carnegie, where he spent three years and made more than 50 appearances, leaving when the club was relegated from the Premiership in the summer of 2011. 

Scott Mathie in action for Sale Sharks Scott Mathie in action for Sale Sharks (Image: Getty Images)

He remained in England's top flight for a further year, playing at Sale Sharks under ex-Scotland captain Bryan Redpath and alongside current Scotland lock Richie Gray. 

Mathie then returned home to South Africa and made a handful of appearances for the Eastern Province Kings, before hanging up his boots and moving into coaching. 

He began his coaching journey at his alma mater, Durban High School, before picking up roles with Durban Collegians Rugby Club and Sharks' age-grade programme - where he met current Edinburgh boss Sean Everitt. 

Mathie's big break came in 2019 when he joined the coaching staff of the Griquas, eventually becoming Head Coach and earning the nickname ‘The Giant Killer’ for his team's impressive performances in the Currie Cup.

In 2021, he was appointed head coach of the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). In his first season in the USA, he worked with former Edinburgh and Scotland wing Dougie Fife. 

Scott MathieNew Edinburgh assistant coach Scott Mathie (Image: New England Free Jacks/ Brendan Buckley)

Mathie enjoyed great success at the Free Jacks, winning MLR coach of the year in 2022 before championship wins in 2023 and 2024, with the most recent title coming earlier this month as the Free Jacks defeated the Seattle Seawolves 20-11 in San Diego.

The latter triumph also Mathie named MLR coach of the year for 2024, while he also became the first coach to win two championships in the brief history of the US professional league. 

Under Mathie's guidance, the Free Jacks developed a reputation for attacking and entertaining rugby, while also achieving success on the field.

In an interview with the Free Jacks, Mathie described his coaching philosophy, stating that "putting the person before the player" has been a focus in each of his roles. 

"Players value that. It is a fine line between excellence and average, and a lot of it has to do with the investment in people rather than just the rugby side," he said. 

Mathie will move to Scotland with wife Leigh and their children Jackson and Georgia. 

A statement from Mathie on the New England Free Jacks website thanked the club for the past three years. You can read it in full below. 

Last season, Edinburgh's attack was an area that let them down. 

Sean Everitt's side missed out on the play-offs despite recording the same number of victories as Ulster and Benetton - who finished inside the play-off spots. A lack of bonus points was ultimately Edinburgh's undoing. 

Everitt's side managed just three try bonus points all season, the same number as third-bottom Sharks, with only second-bottom Dragons achieving fewer.