This might be Toonie’s audition for the big job
Congratulations are due to Gregor Townsend, after he was called up to the British & Irish Lions coaching team by Warren Gatland as attack coach.
Having turned down the opportunity four years ago – just as he was taking on the Scotland job – Townsend has now been given another chance to bring his considerable expertise to the touring party.
The 47-year-old from Galashiels is not alone in “Scottish” representation on the coaching team, as Welshman,steve Tandy – the Scotland defence coach – has also been invited to join the group to look after that most important facet of rugby.
Joining these two are Neil Jenkins, who was on the successful 1997 tour to South Africa with Townsend as a player, and his fellow Welshman, Robin Mcbryde.
It is a new group for Warren Gatland to work with, but with a strong Welsh influence – perhaps a legacy from his time coaching their national team.
Townsend’s coaching career with the national side has been somewhat of a rollercoaster affair.
He began with victories at home and away over Australia, but then in 2019 he hit a bumpy patch.
Scotland’s performances in Japan left a considerable amount to be desired, and they were dumped ignominiously out of the competition by the hosts.
There was also the very public spat with his star player, Finn Russell. Neither Russell nor Townsend will look back on that particular period with any fondness.
But the rifts appear to have been healed, and I’m sure that both parties will have learnt lessons from the way the issue was handled.
Townsend adapted his approach with Scotland, and the recruitment of Tandy as defence coach – and particularly Pieter de Villiers as scrum coach – has brought a hard edge to the way Scotland play. Yet as the defence and setpiece has improved, Scotland’s attacking prowess has dulled.
Turning territorial pressure into points has not come through some of the sparkling, innovative rugby that Scotland played pre-world Cup.
But in South Africa, it will be Gatland who will be calling the shots.
He has a reputation for pragmatic, slightly-dull rugby, based on power rather than finesse and creativity.
Townsend has, to an extent, followed suit with Scotland.
But on the hard, fast pitches in South Africa, power will need to be complemented with flair to defeat the World Champions.
Townsend experienced that on the 1997 tour.
He knows exactly what it takes to win a tour away from home and that experience will be invaluable.
Working with the best players in Britain and Ireland, he should have oodles of talent at his disposal.
He has the ideal opportunity to demonstrate to the world just what a talented coach he is.
Perhaps it will be a stepping stone to the top job next time around?