GREGOR Townsend hopes he can agree a new contract by Christmas, with a deal that takes him through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup being his preferred option. The Scotland coach has been in his post since taking over from Vern Cotter in 2017.
“That would be great if it happens,” he said yesterday. “We’ve been in discussions for a few weeks now. I’m hopeful that something can be agreed and announced in the next few weeks.
“We’ll see, but 2023 would be great as it gives everybody a target for that World Cup to work together with this playing group. Everybody in this playing group should be available for this World Cup. We’ve got the players and the togetherness to go and achieve things over the next couple of years and it would be nice to be a part of that.”
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson said last week that he too was hopeful of concluding a deal soon. “We’re all grown-ups,” he said.
“We’ve all said we know where we want to be, let’s come back and nail this before Christmas. Hopefully we’ll be in a position to give you an update on that in the next few weeks.”
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