Townsend sees himself in Scots assistant Blair
GREGOR Townsend saw a lot of himself in Mike Blair when he appointed him one of his assistants at Glasgow Warriors.
Ambitious, open to new ideas and with an insatiable desire to learn — he was just like Townsend when he started out on his coaching career.
They have since formed a master and apprentice relationship and it is not surprising after only two years as one of his assistants at Glasgow he is taking him to Scotland as part of his backroom staff.
At 36, Blair is eight years younger than Townsend and the pair, both former Scotland captains, are on the same wavelength tactically and personally.
Scotland head coach Townsend will rely on Blair to be his eyes and ears on the touchline on international matchdays in the same way Nathan Hines was for Vern Cotter.
Townsend and Blair start their new jobs on Wednesday with a 34strong squad for Scotland’s three-match summer tour training camp near Edinburgh.
Blair, who signed on a player/coach deal from Newcastle Falcons in 2015, took to coaching like a duck to water.
‘I hoped Mike would be a success when he arrived at Glasgow,’ said Townsend.
‘When he signed he was keen to go into coaching but he played so well in that first year we kept the playing contract going.
‘But he had to retire with a head knock.’
Townsend reckons Blair will be invaluable for the international bedding-in period.
‘When you coach at apprentice level after playing professionally, you make sacrifices,’ said Townsend.
‘Mike did play for Glasgow a year, and suddenly these guys who were his mates, he’s now their coach. That adjustment has been very easy.
“He has done a great job exclusively coaching and a lot of our plays this year have been his ideas. I had no hesitation in asking him to come with me to Scotland.’