Gregor Townsend: Newcastle Red Bull coach claim 'is out there to disrupt Scotland ahead of Calcutta Cup'
National team boss says no contract has been signed after reports earlier this week
Gregor Townsend insists he has not signed a contract with Newcastle Red Bulls and claims a story linking him with a role at the club is designed to disrupt Scotland ahead of the Six Nations, and in particular the Calcutta Cup.
The Scots open their championship campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday and then host England at Murrayfield a week later.
Townsend, 52, was appointed last October to a part-time role with Red Bull as “strategic advisor and consultant on their global rugby strategy”. He took on the post in addition to his duties as Scotland coach and with the blessing of Scottish Rugby.
Red Bull bought Newcastle Falcons last year and renamed them Newcastle Red Bulls and a story in the Daily Telegraph claims Townsend will take over take over at English Prem club following the conclusion of his contract with the Scottish Rugby Union which will expire after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Townsend said he had made no such commitment.
“I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody, so it's a story that I think is being put out there to try and disrupt ahead of this game or next week's game against England,” he said at his press conference to announce Scotland’s team to play Italy.
Asked if he was frustrated by the story, he added: “Not at all. It's just something that comes out, things like this, I think ahead of the England game in particular.
“But yeah, there's no truth in that I've signed a contract beyond the World Cup. And my focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up until the World Cup.”
Pressed further on the Newcastle link, and whether he could move there on the expiry of his Scotland deal, Townsend said: “I don't know. If you want to talk about the future, who knows? I know that I'm contracted to the World Cup. I have not signed a contract anywhere beyond that, and the focus is primarily on how busy things are out here, and I'm really excited.
“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.”
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