DUNCAN HODGE, the Scotland assistant coach, will become Edinburgh's backs coach after this autumn's Rugby World Cup in a move that clears the way for New Zealander Jason O'Halloran to join compatriot Vern Cotter in the national set-up.

The appointment of O'Halloran, currently with Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand, could be confirmed as early as today by Scottish Rugby. O'Halloran himself has no doubt that he will be based at BT Murrayfield next season, and yesterday told the New Zealand media that he was about to head north to become an assistant to Cotter.

"Vern made contact over the New Year to say they were looking for an attack coach with the Scotland team." he was reported as saying. "I went over for a few days in February to check it out. I didn't foresee I would get an opportunity with a national side, so it's a pretty good opportunity."

O'Halloran's stock rose considerably last year as he took Manawatu to their first NPC Championship title since 1980. He has been with his current employers for eight years, and is currently assisted by Cotter's brother Jeremy, who will succeed him.

For Hodge, the return to Edinburgh may represent a step back, but it could also evolve into an opportunity to carve out a more enduring career as a coach. He and Stevie Scott - with whom he was temporarily in charge for a brief spell two seasons ago - will both be assistants to Alan Solomons, the head coach. Solomons recently signed a one-year extension to his contract, but, at 64, is widely expected to opt for a return to his native South Africa after that. If all goes to plan, Scott and Hodge will by that time be seen as the natural successors to their current boss.

"Edinburgh Rugby has been a massive part of my life," Hodge said. "Having played 11 seasons of senior rugby for the club, I'm looking forward to being part of it again, working with Alan and Stevie to develop the players and continue the progress of the club with an exciting group."

First capped for his country against France in 1997, Hodge went on to play in 26 Tests, most memorably the Calcutta Cup match of 2000, in which he scored all of Scotland's points in a 19-13 victory. A player/coach with Leeds Tykes at the end of his playing career, Hodge coached at Watsonians for two years from 2005. He then became involved in Scottish Rugby's national coaching network, initially as a part-time specialist, working with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland.

Although at first he was often thought of as a kicking coach, Hodge has more recently been recognised as a more versatile coach, whose input at national level has had an impact on the backs play and on the attack. Cotter may feel that someone of O'Halloran's experience is what he needs alongside him, but he also praised Hodge's contribution, and suggested that the former stand-off would benefit from his impending move to day-to-day coaching rather than the sporadic involvement with the national team.

"Duncan is a very good coach, and I've enjoyed working with him," Cotter said. "As an ex-player I think he's always held this desire to coach Edinburgh, and this move gives him an opportunity to coach continuously, at a professional level.

"I think it's important for him to bring the things he's learned from the international environment to the club, in what I think is a great move for him, his personal development and the club. He'll be working with players that are, or will become, Scotland international rugby players, and knows what skill sets are important to play at that level.

"Not only is he a great coach but he's a great guy, and I'll enjoy exchanging with him through the national set-up. I'm sure he'll do an excellent job."

When he goes, Hodge will become the second coach to leave the Scotland camp since the RBS 6 Nations Championship, following scrummaging specialist Massimo Cuttitta, whose departure was announced earlier this month. As well as O'Halloran, former international Nathan Hines is to join Cotter's team, which also currently includes defence coach Matt Taylor and forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.