PEEBLES Rugby Club has revealed it is exploring all options in its search for a new Head Coach following the “surprise” departure of former Scotland star Peter Wright.

Graeme Paterson, director of rugby at the Gytes, insisted both sides agreed to part company following what he described as a frustrating season, with Peebles only recording six wins in 18 games in the RBS National League.

But, in a Twitter post after losing his final game in charge away to Kelso in the Border League, Wright revealed he was happy to stay.

Wright said: “Disappointed to lose my last game in charge of @peeblesrfc but been a great two seasons. Really enjoyed working with a great bunch of players.

“(I) was happy to stay at Peebles but they felt a need for change. Hopefully get another club for next season.” The 21-times capped former Lasswade and Boroughmuir prop had coached Murrayfield Wanderers and Glasgow Hawks before moving to Peebles two years ago.

He led the side to promotion to the National League in his first season in charge.

However, results didn’t always go their way this season.

Paterson said: “We had discussions with Peter and both sides agreed that it was best he should leave.

“When we take on a coach it’s usually a two or three-year project but with the caveat that we decide what’s best moving forward.

“Peter did have a few aims when he came to us and he managed one of them by getting us into the National League. But we had a conversation with him after the Kelso game and, as far as we are concerned, he is leaving on good terms. It was all very amicable and nobody’s making any accusations.” The rugby pundit missed the club’s recent defeat to Melrose in the Border League because he was reporting on Scotland’s Six Nations match against Wales.

However, the club pointed out they were aware of his work commitments, providing rugby commentary for the BBC, before he joined the club and denied that was the reason for his departure.

Paterson said: “It has been frustrating for us this season. But I’m not going to say that’s the reason why Peter left.

“There were a lot of things taken into consideration when we made this decision, including what happened on match days and in training.

“It has been a mixed season for us. We started reasonably well, then had a dip in the middle where we lost a number of games by small margins before picking up again.

“But we have a good, young side and if we are focused there is no reason why we can’t progress.” Peebles are in no rush to make a new appointment and have refused to rule out making an appointment from within.

Paterson said: “We did not make the decision knowing that somebody was waiting in the wings. There’s been loads of rumours and speculation and there is a bit of a merry-go-round of coaches at this time of the year but it’s important that we don’t make a kneejerk reaction.

“We want to explore options from within and outwith the club. We already have good coaches at the club and we will certainly be looking very closely at promoting from within our staff.

“Part of the whole process was getting feedback from the players. Some of them were surprised when he (Wright) left but it seems to have been accepted by them now.”