EDINBURGH RUGBY head coach Alan Solomons has resigned after a sluggish start to the Pro12 season.

The club announced on Wednesday that Duncan Hodge has stepped up to become acting head coach after the South African ended his three-year spell in the capital.

Solomons led Edinburgh to the final of the European Challenge Cup in 2015, becoming the first Scottish club to achieve the feat. 

Read more: Vern Cotter agrees deal to join Montpellier after leaving Scotland post next summer​The Herald: Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons knows overcoming Muster and Cardiff will be a big challenge

However, he has struggled for domestic form with the club finishing ninth last season and losing three of their opening four Pro12 games in the current campaign.

Solomons said: “I have decided to step down. I understand Scottish Rugby have appointed Duncan Hodge as the new Acting Head Coach and I wish him well.

Read more: Vern Cotter agrees deal to join Montpellier after leaving Scotland post next summer​

"I have greatly enjoyed working with the players and coaches and feel I have helped to put the club on a much stronger footing over the past three years and am leaving it in a better place than when I arrived.”

Former Edinburgh player Hodge became an assistant coach at the club in November of last year and will get a chance to make a case to take the role on permanently.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “Alan came in as Head Coach at a difficult time in Edinburgh Rugby’s history and helped to stabilise and strengthen the club.

"He achieved some notable successes including leading the first Scottish team to a European Final of the Challenge Cup in 2015 and back to back 1872 Scottish Cup victories over Glasgow Warriors.

"Duncan brings his recent coaching experience from the Scotland national team as well as his long playing career with Edinburgh into the role and he will receive our full support to keep moving the club forward."