THE Scottish Rugby Union have started their search for a new sevens coach after Graham Shiel was removed from the post.
Shiel was sacked after a series of dismal performances by Scotland in which they scraped into the last qualifying slot in next year's sevens World Cup in Moscow. However, Shiel will be kept on as a skills specialist and analyst.
The SRU are determined to find the right man to inspire the team to success on home soil in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and are willing to look abroad.
The high performance director Graham Lowe said: "As part of our ongoing review of sevens, we have decided to bolster the group.
"We are now looking to recruit a head coach and programme manager to work alongside Graham to drive forward performances of the national sevens team.
"This will be a global recruitment search to ensure we get the best candidate for the role."
"We are determined that Scotland should be competitive in international sevens, especially with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon."
n Ian McGeechan, the former Scotland and British Lions coach, has returned to his roots by being appointed executive chairman of Leeds Carnegie. McGeechan launched his big-stage career with the club under their original guise of Headingley.
McGeechan, who was also on the brink of appearing for Yorkshire at cricket, spent 16 seasons there in the late 1960s and 70s.
"I am delighted to have this opportunity to come back to where it all started for me and give something back to my club," said McGeechan, who has also coached at Northampton Saints, Wasps and Bath.
"I want to do everything I can to help develop the strong base that is already established here so that local talent continues to be given an opportunity to shine.
"I have been involved with setting up and developing a number of academies and as an ex-schoolmaster I know the potential of youth within the best possible structure.
"The role of executive chairman is a new role for me but one that I am very excited about. I am keen to support the club in any way I can.
"I was fortunate in my early Headingley days to be guided by older, wiser players who helped shape me as an individual and now all these years on, I have the opportunity to do exactly the same."
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