Solly: Townsend will coach Scotland

The two Scottish sides will do battle at Murrayfield on Sunday, and Solomons knows that his side have their work cut out for them up against the defending Pro12 champions and their wily coach.

The South African has the utmost respect for Townsend and told the Daily Record that the former flyhalf has what it takes to be a future coach of Scotland.

"One advantage that Gregor has is that he has played in various parts of the world. He played in France, he played in England and he played in South Africa, so he even has a Southern Hemisphere influence.

"He was an excellent player and that has helped him too. He's an intelligent bloke.

"He's a really good coach and I think that's being recognised now.

"He certainly has the ability to coach Scotland and those decisions will be made by the SRU but he certainly has the ability to one day take on that job," he said.

Edinburgh edged the Warriors 26-24 in this fixture last year, and although Townsend has hinted at making a tactical switch to win Scottish bragging right back, Solomons believes it has more to do with the execution on the pitch rather than the strategising off it.

"It's not about the coaches. I haven't paid too much attention to what Gregor's said. He's a good bloke and an excellent coach and I'm sure his side will be well prepared.

"But I have no doubt the match will come down to what the players do and not the coaches," he said.