Fiji Sevens coach Gareth Baber joins Edinburgh

Edinburgh have announced the signing of Olympics winning Fiji Sevens coach Gareth Baber as their new Skills and Assistant Attack Coach.

Baber, who made 75 appearances for Dragons between 2003 and 2007 was appointed as Wales Under 20 assistant coach before progressing to Academy Skills Coach at Cardiff Blues.

He also had a brief stint with Hong Kong 7s side before heading to Fiji 7s as head coach in 2016. The 49-year-old guided Fiji to a title in the 2018-19 World Rugby Sevens Series and also helped the side clinch the Gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics earlier in the year. Under Baber, Fiji went on to win 11 World Rugby Sevens tournaments beating the previous record set by Ben Ryan of nine.

"I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities which come with my new coaching role with Edinburgh. I am extremely grateful to Mike [Blair] and the Edinburgh backroom team for the faith they have shown in my recruitment and I’m determined to repay this," he told the club's official website.

“The prospect of joining an innovative and knowledgeable coaching staff at a top European team, which has in its ranks some of the best rugby talent in world rugby, excites me enormously. I look forward to adding value to the group, utilising my own rugby knowledge and coaching experiences.

“Having played and coached against Edinburgh during my career, I am aware of what the team represents and the depth of passion felt in the city for the success of the team.

“It is a great opportunity to challenge myself in an established professional environment, where I recognise that I will need to be at the top of my coaching abilities."

Edinburgh currently are at fifth place in the United Rugby Championship table with a solitary win from three games.