Fukofuka ends eight-month tenure as Scotland head coach and interim appointment made

Sione Fukofuka has left his role as Scotland Women head coach eights months after his appointment by Scottish Rugby.

The former prop has returned to Australia, citing family and personal reasons for his departure. At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Fukofuka led a star-studded USA Women’s Eagles side to a group stage finish and previously coached Australia’s Wallaroos.

Fukofuka coached Scotland to a fifth-place finish at the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations and one win, which came against Wales in Round 1.

Fukofuka said: “I’ve had to make probably the hardest professional decision of my life to step away from the role as head coach.

“I approached Scottish Rugby and asked for a release from my contract under compassionate grounds. Effectively, the stress and the strain on my family, who are back in Australia away from me, proved too much to continue to on and to do this role the way it should be time.

“With the time back home in Australia over the summer, it was able to give me a lot more insight into the sacrifices that they’re making, on top of those that I make as well.

“We also had a change in circumstances where, unfortunately, my wife’s parents are unwell, so that means the family relocating in the 12-month plan that we had is not feasible anymore.

“I can’t be away from my family for that amount of time and do the job the way it should be done.

“I was pretty direct and honest with David Nucifora, Andy Rhys-Jones and Gemma Fay and all three of them were fantastic in understanding that this is not a rugby decision.

“It has nothing to do with Scottish Rugby or the programme – in fact that is what made it so hard – and it’s everything to do with what my family are sacrificing and what I’m missing out on being at home and being a father and a husband, and the fact that we’re not now in a position for them to relocate and come and join me, which has changed the circumstances that were initially part of our plan when I signed on to undertake the role.

“Within a professional context, there has been an understanding to the human element. There has been an understanding that aside from being a rugby coach, I’m also a father and a husband, and the impact that has on both my family but also on myself.

“Being here in Scotland has been amazing, I’ve loved every minute of living here and have really appreciated the opportunity, but not having my family with me and being able to share those experiences with them has been really tough.

“Our boys are quite young and are missing out on that support when I’m not there. Andy, Gemma and David have been brilliant at understanding that this isn’t a rugby decision, and it is a decision that is best for me and my family. They have helped me through that challenging decision, but also with a plan of what’s next for the programme.”

Assistant coach Dave Butcher, who joined Fukofuka’s coaching staff after a successful stint with Canada, has been names as Scotland’s interim head coach for the WXV Global Series.

Fukofuka said: “There are six weeks before the first Test match, so there’s an opportunity for the incoming coaching group to have time to prepare with each other, but also with the playing group before that first Test match against Canada.

“Dave is a fantastic human, and he is so invested in this group as individuals, but also in the team itself.

“He is a first-class individual and his experience across both men’s and women’s rugby and being in positions of leadership will hold the team in good stead, but most importantly he understands the group.

“He knows where we wanted to take the team and what WXV means, so it’s really important that he’s in that role to support the team as they go into those games.

“I have full confidence that with the support of the other coaches who will be coming in to join that they’ll be able to create a really strong unit that will prepare the team well and set them up for success.”

Scotland will announce their wider WXV Global Series training squad on Tuesday 4 August. This September, Butcher will lead Scotland into home fixtures against Canada, New Zealand and Australia, before travelling Down Under to take on the Wallaroos two more times.

David Nucifora, Scottish Rugby Performance Director, added: “I would like to thank Sione for his contribution to Scottish Rugby and whilst we are disappointed to see him depart, we fully respect and understand the reasons why he has made this decision.

“During his time in the role, Sione showed great passion and commitment to the national team and the wider women’s programme at Scottish Rugby.

“Our priority remains supporting the women’s national team and women’s programme players and staff during this period, with work being done to ensure appropriate structures are in place ahead of WXV Global Series along with long term recruitment conversations.”