Scotland's Townsend denies signing Newcastle deal

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has played down a report that he has agreed to take over at Newcastle Red Bulls after the World Cup.

Townsend already has a part-time consultancy role with Newcastle but the Daily Telegraph has reported, external that he will take over full time - most likely as a director of rugby - when his Scottish Rugby Union contract expires in 2027.

Townsend advises Newcastle on strategy and philosophy and several of his key allies have already been recruited by the ambitious club, which was taken over by the energy drinks manufacturer last year.

He is under pressure as Scotland coach as he prepares for the Six Nations following a disappointing autumn series that included his side being booed off at Murrayfield after surrendering a 21-0 lead against Argentina.

However the former Scotland stand-off, who took over as head coach of the national team in 2017, has denied he has put pen to paper on a deal with Newcastle.

"It's pure speculation, I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody," Townsend said as he announced his team for their Six Nations opener against Italy.

"It's a story that is being put out there to try to disrupt before the Italy game or next week's game against England.

"It's just something that comes out, things like these, before the England game in particular.

"There's no truth I've signed the contract beyond the World Cup and my focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up to the World Cup."

Newcastle have signed 16 players for next season, including England scrum-half Raffi Quirke from Sale Sharks, New Zealand forward Hoskins Sotutu and Fiji winger Joji Nasova.

Analysis by BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English

"Speculation" is an interesting word for Gregor Townsend to use regarding the report in the Daily Telegraph.

He hasn't signed a deal with anybody, he says. And it's all a tactic to disrupt Scotland before the Six Nations.

Sorry, but I'm not sure anybody is buying that one. Has he committed to signing a deal?

He hasn't exactly blown this story out of the water with "speculation" and obfuscation. There's probably a reason for that.

The report in the Daily Telegraph just supports everything we have heard on the grapevine.

But if Scotland start well in the Six Nations then what he does in 2027 is not going to have much of an impact. Nobody will care.

If they start badly then all sorts will get thrown at him in the here and now - distracted by his links with Red Bull and Newcastle and so on.

Townsend said form was behind the surprise selections in his back three for the Italy game in Rome on Saturday.

Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham - Scotland's top two try-scorers - as well as British and Irish Lions Test full-back Blair Kinghorn have been omitted.

Tom Jordan will play at full-back with Glasgow Warriors wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the flanks.

"Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they're very proud playing for Scotland. But there is competition in that back three area as there is in other positions," said Townsend.

"We feel Jamie, Kyle, and Tom deserve their starts given how well they've been playing.

"Selection is about giving players opportunities and they've earned it. All three of them individually have taken games to the opposition, worked really hard at areas really important at Test level.

"But the three that weren't selected are quality players. How they've trained over the last few weeks will be positive for the future if and when they get back into the team."