Scottish Rugby
SRU reveals Paterson's new role
ESPNscrum Staff
May 8, 2012
Retiring Edinburgh stalwart Chris Paterson says goodbye to fans, Edinburgh v Treviso, RaboDirect PRO12, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 5, 2012
Chris Paterson bids farewell to the Edinburgh faithful © Getty Images
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Scotland and Edinburgh legend Chris Paterson will take up a new role within the Scottish Rugby Union which incorporates both coaching and ambassadorial responsibilities.

Paterson has called time on his professional rugby career and marked his final appearance with a try in Edinburgh's 44-21 win over Treviso. In what has been a remarkable 13 years, Paterson leaves the sport as Scotland's joint record points and cap holder.

Paterson will now travel to the Crusaders in New Zealand to take in their style of coaching before working under the wing of Duncan Hodge, who holds a full-time role as the national team's kicking coach. The true remit of his role is yet to be confirmed with Graham Lowe, Scottish Rugby's high performance director, suggesting Paterson will be involved with bringing through the country's future talent.

"We are taking up the opportunity of exploring how best we can help Chris transition from player to coach," Lowe said. "We know from, for example, speaking to young players within the Edinburgh set-up the extent of the influence that Chris has and his ability to articulate the knowledge and skills he has acquired throughout his career is already evident.

"Chris has a teaching background, having studied PE before he became a professional player, and we've already seen his ability to mentor players - Tom Brown through the Winning Scotland Foundation initiative - and I firmly believe we can develop Chris as a specialist coach and, in turn, infuse our best young talent with the best practice and work ethic which made Chris the player he was."

Paterson will leave for the Crusaders on May 12 and he is relishing the chance to see one of Super Rugby's premier sides in action.

"The first really obvious thing would be what it's like to approach games as a coach and not a player," Paterson said. "I'm interested in learning about planning, long-term and short-term and how flexible the long term plans are depending on how the season differs to what you'd planned for. Do you change your style of play if you are not successful or do you persevere because you know it'll come good?

"Also, how should you watch a game as a coach? I've almost always watched individuals, through analysis of my own game and my opposite numbers. Do you have a check sheet or a blue print in your mind which is the same for each game? Or are you better to treat each game individually? I'd assume a bit of both."

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