He will step up to lead the part-time professional team in the FOSROC Super6, from the start of January when he will leave his current Head Coaching role of the Melrose Rugby club side in Tennent’s National League 1.

As former Melrose club captain Ruthven turned out for the club 196 times before starting his coaching career. At present he is the full-time rugby coordinator at Erskine Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh.

After a spell as Watsonians Rugby Head Coach in 2019/2020 National League 1 season he returned to The Greenyards in May 2020 to take charge of the club side.

Ruthven has also held various Scotland age-grade coaching roles and is one of only a handful of Scottish coaches to have earned the highest possible coaching qualification, UKCC Level 4.

On his appointment, Bruce said “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of the Head Coach role with the Knights. It’s an exciting time for the franchise with new beginnings and I’m sure everyone is gunning for the start of the season. I have really enjoyed my time with the Club XV and Storm at Melrose Rugby and I’m confident we will see continued development from these players in the future. I will be moving on from Stewart`s Melville College also which has been a great institution to be involved with and has given me a lot of great memories.”

Rob Moffat, Co-Director of Rugby at Melrose is looking forward to Bruce beginning his new role “Bruce knows how the club operates, but also has experience in a variety of roles which will give him the experience to take on this job. We will give him all the support he requires to build and develop the Knights and we look forward to next season when FOSROC Super6 returns.”

Melrose Rugby has also appointed Robert Grigg as Interim Head Coach of Melrose 1XV and Storm until the end of this season. Grigg is currently part of the coaching team and Berwickshire and Duns Youth Development Officer.