London Scottish director of rugby Simon Amor has been confirmed as England's new sevens head coach and is set to quit the Athletic Ground.

The ex-Hampton School student, a former IRB sevens player of the year, will remain with the Championship outfit until he is handed an offical start date by the RFU.

Amor, who led Scottish into the Championship in 2011 having first jioined the club as an assistant player coach in 2008, said: "I have enjoyed my time at London Scottish immensely and it's with great sadness that I will be leaving .

"The opportunity to take over as England Sevens head coach, however, was too good to turn down and I'm grateful for the support I have received from London Scottish since being approached by the RFU.

"The progress here since I took over as head coach in 2010 has been tremendous.

"This current London Scottish squad is the strongest I have ever worked with and much of this is down to the efforts of James Buckland (forwards and defence coach), Tim Harper (head of strength and conditioning) and Serge Betsen (assistant coach).”

The new comes days before Scottish kick off the new season with a trip to face league newboys Ealing Trailfinders at Saracens' Allianz Park home.

But chief executive Kenny Baillie insisted it would not derail the club's bid for a top four finish this term.

 

Club chief executive Kenny Baillie said: "At the moment the we are in close contact with the RFU and an official date of Simon's departure will be confirmed in due course."

"London Scottish look forward to the start of the Greene King IPA Championship this weekend with great confidence after an encouraging pre-season campaign. In James,

"Tim and Serge we have a fine set of coaches who have all worked closely with Simon since they joined the club.”