Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend joins Newcastle Red Bulls as a part-time advisor on strategy and philosophy.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will work as an adviser for Newcastle Red Bulls on a part-time basis
Townsend, who is remaining in his role with the national team, has been hired by Red Bull and his role with the English Prem club will concern strategy and philosophy.
The 52-year-old only recently signed an extension that will keep him with Scotland until the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
He will spend 30 days a year with Newcastle in the form of a non-executive position, consulting on the creation of a high performance operation.
Having been in charge of Scotland since 2017, Townsend was linked with a move to Newcastle as director of rugby prior to agreeing his new contract.
The arrangement with Newcastle was agreed at the same time as his contract renewal with Scotland and has the backing of his bosses at Murrayfield.
His 30 days will exist outside of all international windows so the union are confident his focus will not be blurred by the additional role.
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Scottish Rugby believe having one of their key coaches with access to Red Bull's sporting operation will only be of benefit to his existing work with the national team.
The need for a third professional team - or closer links to a team in England - has been a talking point in Scottish rugby, though there has been no dialogue on that as yet.
"Gregor is a knowledge fiend who has always tried to learn from different sport in different parts of the world," said a source close to the union.
"This is just a continuation of that. He's scratching a development itch and the SRU will get the benefits of it with a connection with a giant sporting brand."
As a player, utility back Townsend played in Australia, England, France and his native Scotland.
Steve Diamond's Newcastle finished 10th in last season's Premiership and opened the new campaign with a home defeat by Saracens.
Category: General Sports
