This is bad timing by SRU when Scots are trying to make history

ONLY the SRU could divert attention away from Scotland’s best-ever start to the Six Nations by trying to find a successor to Gregor Townsend in the middle of the tournament. There is massive expectation surrounding this first Scotland team to win their two opening games since the Championship moved to a six-team format. It should be a time for excitement, with all roads leading to Paris on Sunday. Not a time to be looking for a new head coach. By all means, SRU chief executive Mark Dodson should make an informed judgment over whether Townsend should remain in charge at the end of the World Cup in October. But taking this approach now? Not a chance. With two wins out of two, the bandwagon is rolling. A perfect start that should not be undermined by the search for Townsend’s successor. What if he goes on to become the first Scotland coach to win the Six Nations? The Grand Slam even?

Dodson would be left with egg on his face if he had already decided to get rid of Townsend. It will be hard for the head coach and his players to push aside today’s Sportsmail revelation that Dodson has already spoken to Auckland Blues coach Leon MacDonald about taking over when Townsend’s contract runs out at the end of the World Cup later this year. There should be no external noise about the job right now. This team have the potential to beat France, ahead of home games against Ireland and Italy, and they don’t need any distractions as they attempt to make history. Under Townsend, they are performing with confidence and, crucially, players in key positions are at the top of their game. Finn Russell has been at his irresistible best in the triumphs over England and Wales. The previously fractious relationship between star man and head coach seems to have been repaired. Townsend pulled off a masterstroke by picking Ben White ahead of Ali Price and George Horne at scrum-half — and the London Irish player has been in fantastic form beside Russell. Zander Fagerson came back into the line-up for the win over Wales after two months out injured and looked like he’d never been away. Jamie Ritchie has grown into the role of captain, while Richie Gray is back to his best.

Then there’s Duhan van der Merwe, such a lethal attacking threat as evidenced by his magnificent solo try at Twickenham. Towsend is enjoying the strength in depth. There was a time when this correspondent would have been laughed out of court for suggesting it was no foregone conclusion that Stuart Hogg would start at full-back for Scotland. Yet he came off with concussion against Wales after just 12 minutes to be replaced by Blair Kinghorn, who went on to have a superb match. Now Townsend has a tough decision to make over which one to start in Paris. Scotland will arrive there with a fully fit squad who will believe they can win. Let’s enjoy the moment and try to forget that the SRU have their minds elsewhere rather than on the magnificent rugby currently being played under their noses.

■ EDINBURGH’S slide down the United Rugby Championship table is a major cause for concern. The 42-14 defeat to the Scarlets on Saturday leaves them in 11th place in the 16-team league and outside the top eight that makes the play-offs. They have a strong squad, but head coach Mike Blair isn’t getting the best out of them. Granted, they were missing their Scotland internationals in the defeat down in Llanelli, but that was no excuse for such a meek capitulation. What makes matters look even worse for Edinburgh fans by comparison is the continued success of Glasgow Warriors, who are now up to third in the URC table after their 17-11 home win over Ulster on Friday evening. Franco Smith, in his first season in charge at Scotstoun, is getting the best out of his players — and a few more wins will see them qualify for the play-offs long before the season ends.