Scottish move for Morris to replace Richards

LONDON SCOTTISH have lined up Loughborough Students’ Dave Morris as the man to replace Peter Richards as head coach for next season.

Richards decided to leave Scottish once the Championship club decided to employ fewer full-time staff and the 46-19 defeat to Nottingham last Saturday was his final match in charge of the team.

Morris has enjoyed a long and successful association with Loughborough, taking the Students into National League One in 2012 as well as coaching a conveyor belt of talent that has gone on to star in the professional ranks.

He could be joined at the Athletic Ground by Bedford Blues playmaker Jake Sharp, below.

Sharp, 25, has been an outstanding servant to the Blues over the last eight seasons and was included in last year’s Championship Dream Team at fly-half.

The former Saracen is keen to develop his coaching experience and Scottish are believed to have offered him a player-coach role.

Bedford announced on Friday that former England age-grade international flyhalf Will Hooley would be joining them from Exeter Chiefs alongside Northampton wing Howard Packman.

The Blues have another vacant fly-half spot on their roster following Myles Dorrian’s decision to retire, and Northampton Saints flyhalf Sam Olver, who has spent time on loan at Moseley and Nottingham in the Championship, is rumoured to be considering a move to Goldington Road.

Scottish, meanwhile, are set to lose highly-rated lock Rory Bartle to Championship rivals Jersey.

Pontypridd-born Bartle has been a permanent fixture in the Exiles side since signing from Gloucester in 2015 and captained the side this season.