Gregor Townsend lifts lid on his long-term future with Scotland
Gregor Townsend has revealed his desire to extend his Scotland contract until the next World Cup, with a new deal possibly in place before Christmas.
Scotland Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson recently admitted preparing for talks on a new deal with head coach Townsend.
But now the Scotland coach himself has confirmed his desire to stay at the helm until the World Cup in France in 2023 – which would require a two-year contract extension.
Townsend took the Scotland helm in May 2017, signing a new three-year deal in July 2018 that will expire next summer.
If talks with Dodson go as expected however, the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions fly-half will soon have another extension ratified.
Asked if he could sign a new deal soon, Townsend said: “Yeah that would be great if it happens.
“I’ve enjoyed the role the whole time, but certainly given the positives I’ve seen within the playing group and the management that work with me, the coaching staff, I feel that we’ve got the ingredients, the expertise from a coaching, support staff, we’ve got the players and the togetherness to go and achieve things over the next couple of years.
“So it would be nice to be a part of that.
“We’ve been in discussions for a few weeks now. So I’m hopeful that something could be agreed or announced over the next few weeks.”
And when quizzed on whether that new deal would include the next World Cup, Townsend added: “We’ll see. But 2023 would be great, because obviously it gives everybody a target for that World Cup, to work together and work with this playing group.
“I think everybody in this playing group should be available for the next World Cup, and being in the northern hemisphere (in France) and being too far from where we are, it would be great if we do stick together until then.”
Edinburgh fly-half Jaco Van Der Walt will make his Scotland debut in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup trip to Dublin to face Ireland.
The 26-year-old will be Scotland’s third South Africa-born debutant this autumn, once again highlighting Test rugby’s residency qualification rule.
Asked if he was saddened by the next fly-half down the ranks being born overseas, Townsend replied: “No it doesn’t. Jaco’s been here playing for Edinburgh for the last three years.
“His performances have earned him the right to be considered.
“He’s our fifth stand-off of the autumn. Finn Russell, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, Duncan Weir have come through the Scottish system, which is important; it’s important that players see they can come through our system and end up playing for Scotland.
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ???????
Head Coach Gregor Townsend makes six changes for Autumn Nations Cup visit to Dublin on Saturday 5 December (kick-off 2:15pm).
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— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) December 3, 2020
“So they are great role models for youngsters.
“But the way that Jaco has integrated into our group, he’s a very humble, hard-working player who puts his body on the line.
“And his great-great grandfather is from Aberdeenshire. There is a Scottish connection there, but that’s not necessary.
“We know the eligibility rules that ourselves and other nations have used.
“It’s up to those players that get capped through the residency mechanisms to put in a huge effort in playing for their country.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
103 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
5 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
5 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
5 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
103 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
103 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
103 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
103 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
103 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
103 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
103 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
103 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to comments