Scottish rugby legend Gregor Townsend has been charged with coaching Scotland’s backs for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championships.

The former Scotland and British Lions test star has impressed both players and coaches alike in his part-time roles with Edinburgh and Scotland A, and has now been asked by head-coach Frank Hadden to take on the mantle with the senior squad.

35-year-old Townsend, who only retired from professional rugby in 2007, has first hand playing experience with many of the Scotland backs, including captain Mike Blair and record cap-holder Chris Paterson, and will provide an ideal link between the playing and coaching staff.

And since working with Edinburgh rugby, Townsend has also assisted stand-off Phil Godman in becoming the first choice for Scotland’s number 10 jersey. 

The 82-time capped Townsend said: “I’m delighted to have been invited by Frank Hadden to become backs coach for this year’s Six Nations. I can’t wait to get started working with the players and the challenge of getting them to perform consistently at their best level.”

Since his retirement, Townsend has been working with Winning Scotland Foundation, the Scottish charity behind In The Winning Zone who work towards creating a positive culture in Scotland through the influence of sport.

Townsend added: “I am also hugely appreciative of the role Winning Scotland Foundation has played in allowing me to take this opportunity. Working with such a dynamic organisation that is encouraging positive cultural change through sport has struck a chord with its innovative and challenging approach to coaching practices.
 
He continued: “Part of the attraction of joining the Foundation 18 months ago, was their commitment to supporting my development as a coach. For example, this has enabled me to work regularly with Edinburgh, spend a week with the Queensland Reds and also attend numerous coaching courses. I am now looking forward to applying the knowledge and insights I have gained from the Foundation and my 12 years of experience as a professional rugby player to help the Scotland team.”

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden welcomed Townsend’s appointment.  He said: “Gregor has already made a considerable impact in working with the players at Edinburgh and Scotland A and the support he has championed for players through the Winning Scotland Foundation’s mentoring programme underlines the appetite from elite players for the experience and technical guidance that he brings.
 
“I think it significant too with all Gregor’s experience as a player that he will be able to offer one-on-one advice to Scotland players and that insight can only be valuable especially in the year of a British and Irish Lions tour.”

Referring to the positive relationship Winning Scotland Foundation enjoys with Scottish Rugby, Graham Watson, executive director of the Foundation, added:
 
“As the Director of our Winning Performance programme, Gregor’s coaching role with the Scotland team fits very well with Winning Scotland Foundation’s long term aim of having a nation that wants to succeed at everything. Helping Scots to achieve success on the world stage and in consequence, become role models who can inspire, encourage, motivate and educate other young Scots is a key element of the Foundation’s vision.
 
“Over the past 18 months we have developed an excellent partnership with Scottish Rugby, collaborating on world-class initiatives around mentoring emerging talented athletes and developing the mental skills of young rugby players.

“In both of these initiatives together with today’s announcement, our objective is to demonstrate the benefits of innovative thinking which can then be extended to other sports, with the ultimate goal of showing that every young Scot can be a winner in life. We are delighted to be supporting Gregor’s work with Frank Hadden and wish the Scotland team every success in the upcoming RBS 6 Nations.”