Edinburgh have risked the wrath of their fans after snapping up yet another unproven southern hemisphere player.
However, defiant coach Alan Solomons believes the arrival of Kiwi midfielder Sam Beard can help revive the struggling capital side’s woeful fortunes.
They are wallowing at the basement of the Pro12 table and face a daunting Heineken Cup opener against former champions Munster this weekend.
Beard is not eligible to appear in the early stages of the tournament because the transfer has missed the deadline.
Details of Solomons’ latest swoop came less than 24 hours after his number two, Omar Mouneimne, appeared to hand a vote of no confidence in the team.
In the wake of their hammering at the hands of Cardiff Blues in Wales, he said: “It’s not about winning or losing at present it’s about playing better. We inherited a squad that we didn’t recruit, so we didn’t have a pre-season at all and we are some way behind.”
On the Beard signing, Solomons said: “Beard has played most of his rugby in Canterbury and has proved himself to be a solid young 12 in the ITM Cup.
“He’s played in the rugby hotbed of Canterbury and has been on the cusp of Super Rugby in arguably the best breeding ground in the world.
“This opportunity is really an extended trial for him to prove he’s capable of adding value to our squad longer term, while adding to an area in which we currently lack a little depth.”
Beard said: “This is a very exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the club and the rugby culture.
“I’ve only heard great things about the city and am looking forward to working hard to improve my game and further my rugby career.
“I consider myself a ball running midfielder that plays an attacking style of footy, but I’ll look to do my best in offering whatever and wherever I can to benefit the side.
“Getting the chance to run out on Murrayfield Stadium will definitely be a career highlight for me.”
The arrival of Beard will not go down well with some Edinburgh supporters and former players, who have seen other new overseas recruits fail to shine.