Henry Pyrgos Appointed Head Coach of University of Edinburgh Men’s Rugby Team

The University of Edinburgh Sport is proud to announce the appointment of former Scotland International, Henry Pyrgos as Head Coach of the Men’s Rugby programme, marking an exciting new chapter for one of the UK’s most historic and ambitious university rugby teams.

With 27 caps to his name, Pyrgos brings a wealth of experience from a stellar professional career with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby. He was an instrumental part of Glasgow’s PRO12 title-winning squad in 2015 and later brought his leadership and game management skills to the capital.

Following his retirement from professional rugby, Pyrgos made a seamless transition into coaching, serving as Assistant Coach for the University of Edinburgh Men’s team during the 2024/25 season. His impact was immediate and his elevation to Head Coach is a natural progression that reflects both his coaching potential and his rapport with the student-athletes.

David Hughes, Head of Performance at the University of Edinburgh Sport said,

Henry’s knowledge, experience and ability to develop players is a fantastic asset to our programme. We’re thrilled to see him step into this leadership role and look forward to the season ahead.

Joining Pyrgos in the new-look coaching setup is current Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby forward Sam Skinner, who will take on the role of Assistant Coach (Forwards). Capped internationally since 2018, Skinner has enjoyed domestic and European success with Exeter Chiefs, including titles in both the English Premiership and European Champions Cup.

Still active in the professional game, Skinner’s elite-level expertise in forward play, breakdown strategy and lineout systems will bring immediate value to the student-athletes. His ability to blend tactical insight with on-field excellence offers a unique and inspiring perspective for the next generation of players.

Having Sam join the coaching staff is a massive boost. His ongoing presence in the professional game offers our players direct access to top-tier knowledge and a fresh, competitive edge.

added David Hughes.

Together, Pyrgos and Skinner form a dynamic coaching team that blends international experience, professional success and a deep passion for player development. Their appointment marks a bold step forward in the University’s ambition to excel within BUCS Rugby and across the broader Scottish rugby landscape.

One of the duos first matches will take place at The Hive Stadium when the University of Edinburgh take on St Andrews University in the 2025 Varsity fixture where Edinburgh are looking to win back the trophy following a disappointing defeat in 2024. 

Further announcements regarding the full coaching structure will be made in the coming weeks.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Greg McEwan

gmcewan2@ed.ac.uk | 07392086383

www.ed.ac.uk/sport

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