GREGOR IS POISED TO EXTEND SCOTLAND STAY

SCOTLAND head coach Gregor Townsend is set to agree a contract extension which will see him lead the national side into the 2023 World Cup in France. Townsend revealed yesterday that he is close to signing a two-and-a-half-year extension to his current deal that will take him to a sixth year in charge. SRU chief executive Mark Dodson confirmed last weekend that he wanted the 47-year-old to carry on despite his team’s early exit from last year’s World Cup in Japan.

Dodson said he had seen enough progress being made under Townsend’s watch, particularly in the last Six Nations, to convince him that he was still the man for the job. ‘That would be great if it happens,’ said Townsend, whose existing contract runs out next summer. ‘I have enjoyed the whole time I have been here and the positives and expertise I have seen with the player group, the management that work with me, and the coaching staff. ‘We have got the players and the togetherness to go and achieve things over the next couple of years and it would be nice to be a part of that. ‘We have been in discussions for a few weeks now. ‘I am hopeful that something can be agreed and announced in the next few weeks.’ Townsend, who left Glasgow Warriors to become Scotland boss in 2017, said leading the national team into the 2023 World Cup was his aim and that he is already making preparations. ‘We will see, but 2023 would be great as it gives everybody a target for that World Cup to work together and for us to work with this playing group,’ added the 47-year-old. ‘Everybody in this playing group should be available for this World Cup and being in France, in the northern hemisphere, not too far from where we are, it will be great if we can stick together till then.’