Solly committed to Kings

Alan Solomons, Southern Kings Director of Rugby, remains committed to the Eastern Cape franchise.

Solomons, in reaction to media reports that Scottish Rugby Union Chief Executive Mark Dodson was head-hunting him for the position of Edinburgh's coach, made it clear his focus is only on the Kings.

"My focus is totally on the Southern Kings and ensuring that they remain in the Super Rugby competition next year," he said.

Solomons said his commitment to making the franchise a success had not waivered since coaching them in their inaugural match against the British and Irish Lions in June 2009.

"I've been a part of the Southern Kings campaign since the formation of the team in 2009," he added.

Solomons was linked with a position at Edinburgh in the Pro12 comp[etiton.

With the Scotland CEO, Dodson, currently in South Africa with the national team for their three-match tour – which includes a match against the Springboks in Nelspruint on Saturday – media reports suggested that Solomons was his first-choice to take charge of Edinburgh.

Sixty-two-year-old Solomons made a name for himself in coaching with Western Province and the Stormers and went on to become then Springbok coach Nick Mallett's assistant.

While Dodson refused to comment, SRU director of communications and public affairs Dominic McKay told the Scotsman newspaper: "We have met a number of different coaches in recent weeks and months and continue to discuss the Edinburgh Rugby position with experienced coaches who we believe could help us to bring success to the club and to develop Scottish coaches, which we have said is our stated aim."

"We said that we would scour the world for coaches of the quality and desire to make a difference to Edinburgh Rugby, but these discussions are ongoing, not only in South Africa, so at this moment in time we cannot comment further," he told the Scotsman.