On board: Dean Ryan
Former England number eight Dean Ryan and Scotland hooker Stevie Scott have both joined the Scotland coaching team for the Six Nations.
The pair will work alongside intermin head coach Scott Johnson, defence coach Matt Taylor and specialist coaches Duncan Hodge and Massimo Cuttitta.
Scotland A will be led by head coach Shade Munro, forwards supremo at Glasgow Warriors and a previous forwards coach when the A team reached the final of the Churchill Cup in North America in 2006 and again in 2008.
Shade is joined by Scotland's most-capped forward, fellow internationalist and lineout exponent Scott Murray, who has been coaching the pack as well as playing for Mont de Marsan in France's Top 14. Duncan Hodge takes charge of the backs for the A team's sole match of the Six Nations window - against England Saxons at Kingston Park, Newcastle on Friday 1 February.
"Dean will be with us for 12 weeks and will bring all his top-flight coaching savvy and experience to benefit our forward pack," said Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson.
"Dean and Stevie will start work on Monday. I believe in Dean and Stevie that we have a combination here of hard-nosed experience and deep-rooted understanding of Scottish rugby and its players, which Scott Johnson and his management team will be able to call upon."
Ryan said: "I've responded to an invitation from Scott to assist the Scotland management team over the next 12 weeks and will look to bring my experience to bear to give Scotland players the best opportunity to represent their country in the best way."
Comments
5Lock4ward says...
@Scot_rsa, You make valid points about the Scottish pack's ability to compete with other international packs and their weaknesses in the backs. But I disagree that the Scots have only a few Lions contenders. I think Murray will still be in the mix as will Ford. I think 4 Scottish locks are potential Lions. They being Hines, Gray, Hamilton and Kellock who did after all lead them over Australia and a series sweep in Argentina. Multiple loose forwards could make the trip down under starting w/ Brown, Vernon and Denton. I don't think Visser has to be Welsh to make the trip either. He's probably already pencilled into the first 15 come test match time. When Scotland were able to consistently compete with the big boys they did so because of their ability to score tries from broken play. That's where they need to get back to. They cannot just stick with solid forward play and hope to contain the other sides' backs long enough to have a chance at the end.
Posted 21:27 08th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I don't think Scott Johnson is scary enough to get the scottish players giving 100%. Andy Robinson left because he was sick and tired of the sub-standard going through the motions non-efforts like the one vs Tonga. Scott Johnson is a pussycat. you put a laid back hippy in charge and what kind of productivity do you expect to get. Knowing Dean Ryan from his gloucester coaching days I can't see him lighting a firework under their collective backsides either. Gloucester's pack was lightweight under his guidance. I'm unconvinced. Who's next? Nigel Mellville?
Posted 11:20 07th January 2013
scot_rsa says...
JamietheProp - on what do you base that statement? Because there are few Lions contenders? Scotland's pack have stood up against all opposition despite few outstanding stars. No reason why we shouldn't keep competing up front. Admittedly backplay has been the issue but selection and pro team policy have let us down there. We should have developed a proper 10 but guys like Weir, Grove and Dunbar have been ignored due to a conservative approach. These guys plus Laidlaw at 9 are quality and need a chance. And if Hogg and Visser were Welsh we'd be talking Lions. We produce our fair share of good players but we select and coach poorly.
Posted 16:43 06th January 2013
JamieTheProp says...
I think the question should be why would any coach want this poison chalice?
I'll never understand why Scotland fans think that the team should be competing for anything other than to avoid coming last with the players available to them?
Posted 15:07 06th January 2013
scot_rsa says...
5Lock4ward - interesting to read Johnnie Beattie's thoughts recently, he favoured Johnson as obviously he had issues with Lineen in Glasgow. Maybe we'll see JB in the squad again but I suppose like Taylor his best years will be behind him. Our selections recently have been crap and if some of the Glasgow boys aren't in the mix then we're in even more trouble.
Posted 18:39 05th January 2013
7redcards says...
I think this is a good call from the SRU, they are cash strapped (tight), and casting around for quality coaches that are prepared to work within a budget. Ryan is hard nosed and has the right approach to the professional game, comments about him never having coached at this level are ridiculous, he has a decent understanding of the game, appears honest in his assessment of situations and knows what is required from those he coaches. He would probably prefer to coach England but I think this a good place for him to cut his teeth at international level, hope this doesn't bite us (England) on the arse come 6N!!
Posted 13:41 05th January 2013
jontheref says...
rugbylover
got it in one!
The lizard will quite happily move on, leaving the team in a worse state than before he joined!
Check his CV, it is what he does.
talks himself into a job, and plays himself out of one.
Posted 09:37 05th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Scotland's problems are less about coaching and more about selection. Leaving off 2/3's of the Killer B's (Beattie and Barclay), Euan Murray, Hugo Southwell (who is captaining his Premiership club side), Ally Hogg (Lord only knows what he did to lose his spot when he did) and Simon Taylor for the last few years isn't helping them win consistently. I'm aware that Simon Taylor is past his prime but his presence among the squad could've been huge for the development of younger Scottish loose forwards. Also when your best scrum half decides to go play his rugby in the French second division and you keep him on your national team you've made a poor decision. Finally Scotland have had a high turn-over rate for the captains under Andy Robinson. 3 different scrum-halves held the honor, followed by Al Kellock followed by Ross Ford and eventually Kelly Brown. Pick one and stick to him. The players have to know who to turn to in crunch time on the pitch.
Posted 02:05 05th January 2013
Michtymauler says...
I think Ryan will be a huge loss to Sky Sports!! Lol
Typical tight SRU have obviously scoured the available mediocrity who'll work for an average wage and have finally decided tonooennthe purse strings a whole 4 weeks before the start of the 6N !!! How sad!! Ryan doesn't even like Scotland! Listen to him, he's "responded to and invitation" .. Covering himself already and bit exactly jumping and bounding about at the thought of potential success at international level, where he's never worked before!!!
It's sad and looks ominous for Scotland and the fault lies with the SRU. The only country who hasn't coped with professionalism. It's been long enough now and a steady decline! There should be an independent review by a neutral who can pinpoint the problems and clearout any remaining old school tie and free bar attitude and nonsense!!
Posted 19:50 04th January 2013
scot_rsa says...
Agree with much you say melkdave, also think Scotland need to play their own style which is probably less structured but higher paced. New ideas are vital because we have the players. Don't think Scotland players believed in previous game plans but Johnson is the sort of guy to mix it up. Hope that applies to selection too.
Posted 19:26 04th January 2013
rugbylover says...
.............if only Mr Johnson had a tenth of the ability to match his mighty mouth......
sigh.
Posted 17:34 04th January 2013
melkdave says...
I think the no nonesense D.Ryan is a good addition to the Scotland forwaeds team.The forwards imo,have been coasting for years,every season both scottish clubs should be challanging for silverware at least in the Pro12 ,and yet they never do,which is strage given both teams are full of international players..I know the disparity in funding is going to be cited as a reason why thy dont ,after all Leinster /Munster and Ulster get twice as much,but tbh i just dont really buy that.Both sides have enough class players ,it just shouldnt make that much of a differance .This failure to challange but just coast has become a major problem imo,for Scotland,as it results in players feeling that once a game has slipped away,they can shrug their shoulders and say oh well next time,also playing in a league which rewards failure only makes the problem worse .The Pro12 has to change become revalent and meaningfull,and have consequences for losing.Once that happens players mental atitude will start changing from coasting to having to give 100% intensity every match,which is sadly lacking imo,in all the celtic nations atm.
Posted 15:00 04th January 2013
carpelone says...
The heading should change from "Scotland secure coaching team" to "Scotland secure back to back wooden spoon".
Shame.
Posted 13:44 04th January 2013