Paterson: I needed a new challenge

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But Paterson has confirmed he would probably have switched to the Kingsholm club after the World Cup, even if the bitter dispute over match fees between Edinburgh and the Scottish Rugby Union had not erupted.

Paterson said: "I have had a brilliant time in Edinburgh colours and the fans have been fantastic to me, but the bottom line is that as an individual you have to push yourself. That is the nature of the business when you are a sportsman and I know I am about to embark on a huge challenge."

He added: "Gloucester have a world-class squad and I am really looking forward to being involved in the set-up down there."

He is now set to link up with his former Edinburgh colleagues Alasdair Dickinson and Alasdair Strokosch at Gloucester, while ex-Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath is part of the Kingsholm coaching staff.

He will not play for Gloucester until after the World Cup, and added: "There is a lot going on before I join up with them.

"There are the World Cup warm-up matches against South Africa and Ireland at Murrayfield and then the tournament itself.

"But I am happy that my future is sorted. I did have a year to run with my contract at Edinburgh and I think everyone realised I would be looking around and that there was a fair possibility I would be moving on at that stage."