Wilson set to fill Scots forwards coach role

DANNY WILSON will be the new Scotland forwards coach after Gregor Townsend convinced the highly-rated Englishman to turn his back on Wasps. Wilson had signed a twoyear deal with the Midlands club after leaving Cardiff Blues in May — but has made a dramatic U-turn and will join Townsend’s backroom team as a replacement for Dan McFarland. The SRU and Wasps have begun negotiations on a compensation package, which could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. That remains the only stumbling block ahead of the appointment — but Wasps sources suggest they will not stand in Wilson’s way. He has a terrific CV as a forwards coach, starting out in that role at Newport Gwent Dragons back in 2010. He was then head coach of the Wales Under-20 team before becoming forwards coach at Scarlets and then fulfilling a similar role under Andy Robinson at Bristol. Wilson was appointed head coach of Cardiff Blues three years ago and ended his time there in style, defeating Gloucester in Bilbao to lift the European Challenge Cup. Townsend’s move for Wilson is a slap in the face to former Scotland international Carl Hogg, who has been shadowing McFarland on the summer tour of North America and Argentina. It could lead to tension in the camp ahead of the final two matches against the USA and Argentina. The former Worcester Warriors head coach had been favourite to take over from McFarland, who will now join Ulster as head coach. An SRU spokesman refused to confirm or deny Townsend had made an approach for Wilson, saying: ‘We do not comment on speculation or rumour.’