Gregor Townsend has shot down reports that he has agreed to take charge of Newcastle Red Bulls – insisting it has been an attempt to destabilise Scotland ahead of this year’s Six Nations.
A story published by the Daily Telegraph this week claimed an agreement is in place for Townsend to take over as Newcastle’s director of rugby when his Scotland contract expires after next year’s World Cup.
Townsend already holds a part-time consultancy role with Red Bull, who own the English Premiership club, to advise on strategy and philosophy.
But, despite it being widely presumed that he is lining up his next full-time job with Newcastle, Townsend categorically denied that anything has been ‘signed’.
It is another unwelcome distraction for Scotland, who begin their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome tomorrow.
‘It’s pure speculation,’ insisted Townsend, who has been under mounting pressure on the back of a poor autumn campaign which followed him signing a new contract last September.
Gregor Townsend says reports he is joining Newcastle after World Cup are ‘pure speculation’
Scotland head coach Townsend takes part in training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Rome
Townsend says reports about his future are aimed at disrupting Scotland ahead of games with Italy and England
‘I’ve not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody. It’s a story that is being put out there to try to disrupt ahead of this game or next week’s game against England.
‘It’s just something that comes out, things like these, ahead of the England game in particular. There’s no truth that I’ve signed the contract beyond the World Cup.
‘My focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up to the World Cup.’
Newcastle have already started recruiting several of Townsend’s closest allies and people known to him through his Scotland connection.
Gavin Vaughan, his right-hand man and chief analyst who has been a constant throughout Townsend’s time with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, will join Newcastle as their head of recruitment.
The Scottish links at Kingston Park extend further still. Jonny Petrie, the former Scotland back-row forward and senior executive with Edinburgh and Ulster, is now the club’s managing director.
John Fletcher, who previously headed up the SRU pathways system, is the club’s academy director. Scott Macleod, the former Scotland lock, has spent several years as Newcastle’s lineout coach.
Duhan van der Merwe is one of three big names left out of Townsend’s team along with Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham
Darcy Graham, above centre, has had to settle for place on the bench while van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even in the squad for Italy game
The Scotland squad take part in a huddle at the Oriam High Performance Centre in Edinburgh
Newcastle have already signed Scotland hooker George Turner for next season and are believed to be targeting more Scots.
Asked whether these latest reports could unsettle Scotland and become a distraction heading into the championship, Townsend replied: ‘No, not at all.
‘I’ve loved the last two weeks, I really have, and I’m really excited about whatever’s going to happen in the next few weeks.
‘And regarding the article, the timing, don’t take the bait from an English newspaper that are trying to do something the week ahead of the Calcutta Cup.’
Townsend was speaking as he named his team to face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tomorrow afternoon.
Long established as the first-choice back three, Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe have all been dropped.
Kinghorn and Van der Merwe are out of the squad altogether, whilst Graham is on the bench, as Townsend has opted to start with Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the wings and Tom Jordan at full-back.
‘Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they’re very proud of playing for Scotland,’ added Townsend.
‘But there’s competition in that back-three area like there is in other positions and we feel Jamie, Kyle and Tom deserve their starts given how well they’ve been playing.
‘I feel all three of them individually have taken games to the opposition. But the three players that weren’t selected, they’re quality players.
Townsend has tried to kick into touch reports that he has already agreed to join Newcastle Red Bulls
Van der Merwe cuts a lonely figure after he was left out of squad for Italy showdown
‘If or when they get back into the squad or they get an opportunity off the bench, like Darcy will on Saturday, we know we’re going to have hungry players desperate to get back in the starting team.
‘But for now, we’re really pleased with that back three, how they’ve been playing but also how they’ve been combining in training.’
Townsend has otherwise selected a familiar line-up, with nine of the XV having started on the last visit to Rome in March 2024, when Scotland crashed to a dismal 31-29 defeat.
‘The head coach believes memories of that match will ‘sharpen the minds’ of his players as they look to begin their championship in a positive fashion.
‘We know what Italy can do when they have that crowd energy behind them,’ he said. ‘They’re two years further on in their development too and they are a cohesive team. A lot of that back-line have played together, they’ve got some quality forwards.
‘They beat Australia in November so it’s one of the toughest teams now to play in world rugby.
‘They’ll be targeting this game, so to play them first game up, with the passion and atmosphere that’s going to be in Rome – it’s a sell-out as well – we know we’re going to have to play very well to win.’
