Scotland may appoint an interim coach for the Six Nations as the search for a long-term replacement for Andy Robinson continues.
Assistant coach Scott Johnson is a candidate for the role, with experience working with Wales and the USA in a head coaching capacity. Sean Lineen, currently in a talent recruitment role with the SRU, is another candidate.
"We have already received a number of applications for the job," said SRU CEO Mark Dodson.
"We are reviewing these as well as looking at home and abroad for the best candidate to take Scotland forward to the Rugby World Cup.
"We have the RBS Six Nations just round the corner and, given the timescales involved, we are looking at the possibility of an interim appointment as we don't want to rush into making the decision.
"The most important thing we can do is get someone in to take the team forward for the long term."
Johnson himself remains positive for the future of Scottish rugby and is keen to remain involved.
"I have not had a chance to speak to the officials, but I intend to in the next week or so," said Johnson.
"That will decide where I am placed in the job and if the job suits me, and if it suits them for me to take it. I am secure in the fact that I have come here for a couple of years and I have only just started.
"There are plenty of good things in Scotland and plenty of hard working rugby people and there are plenty of good players.
"We need to start developing a game that suits us to play."
Comments
passtheball says...
Sean Lineen would be a sensible choice and he could be appointed as the interim coach to see how he goes. Johnson always seems to have plenty to say but does he have any substance?
Posted 12:50 05th December 2012
scot_rsa says...
Nothing against Johnson but although he may bond with the current players that isn't really a good thing. He also has no knowledge of the grass roots game here and that is what desperately needs to be nurtured. Ok do it cheap and get an interim guy then spend on another pro team. Just make it Lineen and stop fannying about.
Posted 20:47 04th December 2012
Headhunter99 says...
The way its going in Scotland I'd suggest even wee Jimmy Krankie is a serious contender
Posted 20:33 04th December 2012
5Lock4ward says...
You'd like to think the Scots would hire a homegrown coach but I fear that the unfortunate state of their Union demonstrates that their main failure was in growing all facets of the game domestically. It feels like they weren't proactive in keeping up with the times on any level of coaching or vigorous development of talent or talent searching. A point best demonstrated by how few Scots have been a part of the last 3 Lions tours. At this point I'm w/ RiverBlues77 in terms of going after Jake White and hoping he can work w/ Scotland's pack the way he did the Boks' game plan. Physical domination by a dynamic pack and get it out to the backs. They've got work to do in regards to the backs mind you.
Posted 18:52 04th December 2012
jontheref says...
Don't make the mistake of keeping Johnson.
He will leave as soon as he gets a better offer.
Look at his CV, spouts off about he wanted the USA job, and left in the first 12 months.
Was booted out of the Ospreys, and drifted into Scotland.
Hope someone like Sean Lineen gets it.
Posted 14:14 04th December 2012
RiverBlues77 says...
Hire Jake White and watch things change up North.
Posted 12:56 04th December 2012