McFARLAND IS KEEN TO AVOID NATIONAL BIAS

SCOTLAND’S new forwards coach Dan McFarland admits that he has been busy ‘clueing up’ on Edinburgh players to ensure there is no Glasgow bias in the new national squad.

The SRU appointed the Glasgow triumvirate of Gregor Townsend, McFarland and existing defence coach Matt Taylor to take over from Vern Cotter and his team this month. Glasgow have dominated Scotland selection in recent times due to the Warriors’ success, but McFarland is keen that Edinburgh players feel they have the same opportunities to make the Test cut under the new regime.

‘You have to be aware of it (bias),’ he said. ‘I was pretty well acquainted with the Exile players anyway because I watch a lot of rugby, but the last couple of months, when I’ve had a chance, I’ve been making sure that I understand what it is that makes Ross Ford a good player, for example, or I know how Magnus Bradbury is getting on. All of those players I don’t see on a day-to-day basis I need to understand.

‘I’ve spent time looking at that and now working with them, so I know the detail about them better.

‘I understood the kind of guys they were when they came into camp and I haven’t shook anyone’s hand yet and had a conversation and thought: “I don’t like him”. I like them all.

‘These are good fellas who are hungry to do well and as a coach, you want to be around ambitious young men.’