Scotland recruit high performance coach from rugby league

Scottish Rugby has turned to rugby league to bolster its coaching set-up by appointing the Wigan boss Shaun Wane as high performance coach.

Wane has steered the Warriors to two Super League titles but will cross codes to work with Scotland at the end of his contract, which expires at the end of the current rugby league season.

It was announced in May that his seven-year spell in charge at Wigan would come to an end after the current campaign, and Scottish Rugby has now confirmed his appointment – which will see him work closely with coaches at all levels of the game on a consultancy basis.

Wane said: “I see this as a fantastic opportunity to not only impart what I have learnt over my career in rugby league as a player and coach, but also to learn myself from union and look to support the excellent work already being done in Scotland.”

The 53-year-old, who led the Warriors to two league titles, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge victory, will focus on prioritising “defensive technique and understanding, handling and agility skills for front five forwards and mindset”, with a particular concentration on the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy. He added: “The Scottish way of playing the game is fast, highly skilled and positive and that is something I want to contribute to, and help develop further.

“It is a fresh challenge for me, but the chance to work across all the teams and age-grades, with the BT Sport Academy players, both male and female, was an opportunity I am excited to take.”

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, whose side thrashed Argentina 44-15 in Resistencia on Saturday, said: “There is a lot we can learn from Shaun in both the technical side ofthegameaswellaswider aspects of coaching.

“The range of skills now needed across the pitch in rugby union, aligned with the style of play we are developing means that all our players have to be able to pass accurately and deploy effective lines of running that will either hold defenders or find space.

“Whatshaunbringsfrom rugby league is immediately transferable and will add real value.”