Favourite: Scott Johnson
Assistant coach Scott Johnson is expected to be named as Scotland's new interim head coach by the end of the week according to reports.
The former Wales and Ospreys coach joined the side before Scotland's June tour as assistant to Andy Robinson, but now will take up the role of interim head coach while the Scottish Rugby Union search for a long-term replacement.
Johnson was part of the coaching staff that led Wales to a Grand Slam in 2005, but lost all three matches in his time in charge as interim head coach of Wales in 2006.
Stints followed with the Wallabies and the US national side before returning to the Ospreys as director of coaching in 2009.
Scotland dropped to 12th in the IRB World Rankings following defeats to South Africa, New Zealand and Tonga in November, despite an unbeaten tour of Australia, Samoa and Fiji back in June.
Former head coach Andy Robinson resigned following the loss to Tonga, with Johnson now beating out Gregor Townsend and Sean Lineen to the interim coaching position.
Comments
Trader2 says...
Has any one asked the question "why was he never been considered for the Wannabies position?"
Posted 13:10 20th December 2012
kinsman says...
@Centre12, perhaps that's why they have gone with Johnson, no reputation to ruin. Well certainly not a decent reputation anyway....
IMO (and of course these things are always subjective) Scotland have bought in a 3rd rate coach just when they are looking like they have the makings of a team that could make them a real handful in the 6N and beyond. Terrible decision.
Posted 11:42 20th December 2012
Centre12 says...
The Scotland Head Coach job should be re named, the "Reputation Ruiner" because thats exactly what it does. No disrespect intended to people of Scotland, but they just don't have the player pool that other countries have and I really can't see Scotland improving any more with Johnson at the helm, if anything they will get worse.
Posted 03:46 20th December 2012
melkdave says...
There never was any dought really that S.Johnson would be Scotlands coach for the 6Ns .He has after all done the job before at club and international leval,and imo been quite succesfull.Lets hope the scottish players now realise their performances have been below par and inconsistent..To many are just coasting imo,and just dont have the self belief in themselves..One consequence of playing in a weak league where failure is rewarded ,with HC qualification,and the teams finishing position carries no consequences whatever for the players .It just means players never have to give 100%,they can shrug their shoulders and say well maybe next year.Then when it matters in internatuionals the same mentailty prevails imo,The burning question to my mind and for scottish supporters is WHY have scottish teams never once challanged for silverware in the Pro12 ,Both are packed with international class players ,yet never have they challanged .Players coasting ,and not battling is the only answer i can see.If they had been as successfull as Munster or Leinster ,which they should have been at least in the Pro12 ,just how differnt could rugby be in Scotland i wonder..Lets hope the new generation coming though ,dont have thios malise mentailty ,and start battling .Otherwise in 5 yrs they wont be worthy of a place in the 6Ns ,and either Georgia ,USA/Canada will take their place .The game cant stand still and must keep evoling otherwise it dies.
Posted 00:33 20th December 2012
Jp07 says...
Terrible choice
Posted 21:33 19th December 2012
scot_rsa says...
Well we will see. Not unhappy and think Johnson has made the right noises about letting Scotland play a game that suits them. Think that is a good thing. Best of luck Scott. And let's pick players in form.
Posted 20:33 19th December 2012
Maubec says...
I don't agree. I think it's a bad news for Scotland. He was in charge of the backs. It's where Scotland's really weak even with good talents.
This guy wasn't a good coach with Wales, wasn't a good coach with the USA, wasn't a good coach with the Ospreys and won't be a good coach for Scotland.
Posted 18:29 19th December 2012
jontheref says...
His track record for staying the course, (which Andy Robinson did with honour) is not something Johnson is known for.
I know it says interim, and I hope for Scottish Rugby IT IS a very short interim!
Posted 18:16 19th December 2012
atg77 says...
Good choice
Posted 17:02 19th December 2012