BACKS' mentor Rob Moffat has set his sights on becoming head coach at Edinburgh on the next occasion a vacancy occurs.
That opening could be a few weeks or more than a year away – depending on whether sitting tenant Andy Robinson decides to chase the Scotland post when applications to succeed the deposed Frank Hadden close next Monday.
Regardless, Moffat considers
himself ready to take overall charge, saying: "I had a spell as head coach of the Borders when they started up (1996 until an amalgamation created the ill-fated Edinburgh Reivers in 1998) and I'll definitely applying for a similar role the next time the opportunity arises here."
Taking time out from preparing the side for tomorrow's Celtic League clash with Leinster at Murrayfield (7.45pm) he added: "Having taken charge of the national seven and the A team as well as having involvement with the under-20s means I'd have to make my move otherwise I'd be labelled as unambitious.
"The reality is that although I'm ambitious my tendency is always to work away at the job I have.
I don't turn up for work thinking 'where am I going?' But I want to be a head coach in the future."
The former Scotland B winger entered coaching at his old Melrose club and guided them to league successes before the advent of professionalism turned traditional concepts on their head.
But he has flourished in the new era to the extent that a spell at Glasgow means few – if any – coaches know the game better north of the border for all that he insists: "it would be silly of me to apply for the Scotland job at this time."
If Robinson, pictured, does step up there will be plenty of competition for the Edinburgh post including, perhaps, Frank Hadden himself and although this is acknowledged by Moffat he offers no inside track.
"All I know about Andy's situation is that he'll be his own man in making up his mind before Monday's deadline."
Robinson has been at pains to say he isn't prepared to rush a bid to return to the scene which saw him take the England reins for a spell.
"I think I know Andy well enough to say that his mind really isn't made up.
"He doesn't try to fool people.
"(Rather) he is making sure the time is right and correct in his own mind that applying would be appropriate.
"It will go down to the wire and making full use of the time available before the cut-off is in keeping with the meticulous way Andy prepares Edinburgh teams.
"There are so many factors for him to consider.
"For one thing he will want to know whether everyone else in Scotland thinks it right for him to do it.
"Consideration continues to be given to his family.
"And a big element will be whether Andy wants to give up the day-to-day coaching tasks he really does enjoy although I'd imagine if he goes for it then there would remain a warm welcome for him in the Edinburgh and Glasgow set-ups."
So far as the political aspect of an Englishman coaching Scotland is concerned Moffat is in no doubt that old enmities will be exactly that – a figment of a bygone age.
"Warren Gatland is a New Zealander who has coached Ireland and Wales and nobody was complaining when he took the last named to grand slam.
"I think it is wrong to be parochial and, certainly, nobody objects to an Englishman coaching Edinburgh.
"Having said that the SRU do have to look to the future and say that, so far as is possible, coaches should be from their own country.
"What they have to avoid is going down the Irish route where Australians are in charge at three of the four provinces which from their point of view is not great, I'm sure, although Declan Kidney (an Irishman) is in charge of the national side."
Meanwhile, Edinburgh have recalled Jim Hamilton for Scott MacLeod at second row in the only change to their starting line-up compared to the side which defeated Cardiff last time.
Leinster will be much-changed from the team that defeated Harlequins in their Heineken European Cup quarter-final with
Kearney, O'Driscoll, Fitzgerald, Contempomi, Whittaker, Healy, Jackman, Wright, O'Kelly, Elsom, Heaslip and Jennings all dropping out of the squad.
Edinburgh team (to face Leinster at Murrayfield, tomorrow): Paterson; Houston, Cairns, De Luca, Webster; Godman, M Blair (cap); Traynor, Ford, G Cross, C Hamilton, J Hamilton, Newlands, Hogg, MacDonald. Subs: Kelly, Grant, MacLeod, Mustchin, Laidlaw, D Blair, Turnbull.
Leinster (from): Le Roux, McCormack, Blaney, Fogarty, Harris-Wright, Hagan, Knoop, Cullen, Hogan, Toner, Jowitt, O'Brien, Stephen Keogh, McLaughlin, Keane, O'Donohoe, Nacewa, McKinley, Simon Keogh, D'Arcy, Sheridan, Tonetti, McFadden, Brown, Horgan, Dempsey, Morris
