Cockerill surprised to pick up PRO14 coach award

Edinburgh also scoop the Players’ Player of the Season award

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill (centre) speaks to his team on the pitch prior to the beginning of the Guinness PRO14 Semi-Final match at BT Murrayfield, 

Edinburgh Rugby boss Richard Cockerill expressed his surprise at being named Guinness PRO14 Coach of the Season on Thursday as the Scottish capital club also saw wing Duhan Van der Merwe named Players’ Player of the Season.

Both recipients of the league’s most prestigious awards earned their accolades from votes of their peers yet their season ended last Saturday at the semi-final stage. This Saturday’s PRO14 final will see Leinster, coached by Leo Cullen, aim to complete an unbeaten campaign in the Covid-shortened 2019-20 season and win a hat-trick of consecutive titles.