Contract extension for Scotland coach
NEWS: Head coach Gregor Townsend has extended his contract with the Scotland national team until 2021, together with extensions for his coaching staff of Matt Taylor and Mike Blair.
Scotland have averaged four tries a Test since Townsend took over in 2017, with the historic home and away wins over Australia and 2018 Six Nations victory over England among the notable highlights that helped Scotland finish third in the 2018 Six Nations.
“I have always been incredibly proud to coach Scotland and I’m delighted and grateful to be able to extend my involvement with the national team,” said Townsend.
“It’s a privilege to coach such a hardworking group of quality players, which is continuing to grow in depth.
“We are really looking forward to Danny [Wilson] joining up with us, which will enable us to seek further improvements in how we can bring the best out of our players.
BREAKING | Head Coach Gregor Townsend has extended his contract with the Scotland national team until 2021, together with extensions for his coaching staff of Matt Taylor and Mike Blair.
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Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson added: “I’m delighted that Gregor has decided to continue as Scotland head coach until 2021.
“It was also important to maintain the high level continuity created with the other world-class coaches within the national team set-up in Matt Taylor and Mike Blair and I’m very pleased they will continue to work alongside Gregor through to, and beyond, Rugby World Cup 2019.”
Some 13 Test matches now stand between Scotland and Rugby World Cup 2019, including three November Tests and the 2019 Six Nations, before four mid-year Tests against France and Georgia present the players with the final opportunity to play their way into the 31-man squad heading to Japan.
After a bright start to his national team tenure, Townsend believes there is more to come for the men in blue.
Townsend added: “There’s certainly a lot of improvement to be found – both from us as coaches and also our playing performances – but we’ve also seen some excellent displays over the past season, as well as a genuine desire from the players to give their best for their country.
“I’ve been really pleased with the way the squad has come together whenever we’ve been in camp. The players have built strong relationships with each other, trained with intensity and learned quickly after any setbacks we have faced. They have also been terrific ambassadors for their country on tours or whenever they have interacted with our supporters.
“We’re well aware we’re entering a crucial and exciting time for this group, as we continue to seek improvements across the board and target a strong Autumn Test series and Six Nations, before our build up to the Rugby World Cup begins in earnest.”
The new deal will see assistant coach Matt Taylor become the longest-standing Scotland coach since Scottish Rugby Hall of Famers Jim Telfer and Ian McGeechan, with the three-year contract taking him to almost a decade in service to the national team.
Attack coach Mike Blair – the country’s most-capped scrumhalf and former captain – joined the national team coaching set-up ahead of the 2017 June tour and continues to operate in a dual capacity with Glasgow Warriors, outwith Test-match windows. He has also extended his involvement with the national team for at least a further two years, committing to June 2020.
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