SRU should be 'exploring their options'
BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.
Following the end of another disheartening Six Nations, many of your questions surrounded the same issue...
Martin asked: Given the feeling of familiarity surrounding this year's disappointing tournament, and after stagnating in 2024, did Gregor Townsend's Scotland tenure peak after the 2023 Six Nations? If so, with this group of players ageing, how much longer can Scottish Rugby afford to stick with him?
Tom answered: We've had an awful lot of questions on a very similar theme. Understandably so. My take is that Townsend has been coach for a long time and for the last couple of years, the team has definitely been bobbing up and down without going anywhere.
It's complicated, though. This team is not good enough to finish first. France and Ireland have been better in recent times. Scotland are good enough to have finished third - the best of the rest. That hasn't happened for too long.
There are nuances to this season - the awful run of injuries. But then that brings us back to eight years - it's a hell of an innings and sometimes it just makes sense to bring in a new voice to see if they can get Scotland to a higher level.
The question is - who? Franco Smith? Possibly, if he wants it or if Wales don't get there first. Anybody else? I'm struggling to come up with high-class people who might take it.
If a Shaun Edwards or a Jacques Nienaber was available then I'd be minded to make a change. I think the SRU should be exploring their options now, at the very least.
Andy asked: Is it time we adopt the Irish/Leinster model and put most of the SRU funding behind a single pro club?
Tom answered: In a word, no. Scotland only have two professional clubs and that idea would run a serious danger of reducing it to one. It's absolutely critical that Glasgow and Edinburgh prosper.
Mark asked: Finn Russell is without a doubt the standout 10 for the Lions Tour and would be the perfect mentor for the future development of Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast. That said, if Jonny Sexton is chosen as backs coach, do you think this could affect backline approach, mood and mentality?
Tom answered: I might be wrong but I cannot see how Johnny Sexton can be the Lions attack coach given he's never been an attack coach before. That would be madness. A kicking coach, yes. But not an attack coach.
Reports from Ireland are saying that he's going on Ireland's summer tour, so him going with the Lions might be a non-story. If he's chosen, then I'll say a bit more about Finn Russell and so on.
-
Q&A: Is it time to throw in some more young players?
BBC Sport's chief football reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions. Sam asked: There's not much to play for at West Ham now this season. There is a minimum £3m a place to start ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
What does NHS England do? Your questions answered on health reforms
As part of Your Voice, Your BBC, we answer questions from you on government plans to scrap NHS England.BBC News - Mar. 13 -
'Scotland's great survivor Hanley basks in battle'
Grant Hanley has been written off, left out and cast aside. But the 33-year-old was there again when Scotland needed him, writes Tom English.BBC News - 1h -
'Scotland's great survivor Hanley basks in battle'
Grant Hanley has been written off, left out and cast aside. But the 33-year-old was there again when Scotland needed him, writes Tom English.Yahoo Sports - 38m -
BBC’s farewell to England men’s rugby a reminder of what they do well... and badly
The last England Six Nations match on BBC for five years at least was both a fitting (temporary?) farewell and an encapsulation of some of the strengths and weaknesses of the corporation’s rugby on ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Have a question about the Wisconsin Badgers heading into March Madness and the NCAA tournament? Ask me!
You can submit your question and I'll choose some to answer before the Badgers play their first-round game Thursday against Montana.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Aston Villa Q&A: Is PSR a genuine concern?
Over the course of Wednesday, we're putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor and he has given his usual weighty analysis. Vinny asked: I've heard that Villa may have some more PSR ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Scaroni gives stadium update and admits Milan are ‘asking ourselves questions about the future’
AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has commented on the new stadium project with Inter, and admitted that it has been a disappointing season which forces questions on the future.It was a week of news ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Man Utd's new stadium - 11 key questions
BBC Sport looks at some of the key questions surrounding Manchester United's proposed new stadium.BBC News - Mar. 11
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Seeking redemption from last year, Keith Mitchell one of five Valspar co-leaders
Five players posted 4-under-par 67 in the opening round Thursday on the Copperhead course.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Michigan basketball vs UC San Diego: Updates, highlights from NCAA tournament first round
No. 5 Michigan plays No. 12 UC San Diego in first round of March Madness trying to reach the next round of NCAA tournament. Follow for live updates.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Mitchell grabs share of lead at Valspar aiming for redemption
Keith Mitchell grabbed a share of the lead at the US PGA Tour Valspar Championship on Thursday, saying he's still learning from his agonizing last-round collapse in the event last year.Given the ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Akron returns to March Madness after retooling offense around 3-point shooting
Akron coach John Groce didn’t even wait for last season to end before he started talking about changing his team's approach on offense. It didn’t matter that Akron had reached the NCAA Tournament ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Keith Mitchell settles for a 5-way tie for the lead at Valspar Championship
Keith Mitchell thrived in a tough wind on a tough Copperhead course at Innisbrook on Thursday until he dropped two shots late in his round and had to settle for a 4-under 67 and a five-way share of ...Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Brazil vs. Colombia odds, where to watch, live stream: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying prediction, pick, lineups
Fifth-place Brazil is one point behind fourth-place ColombiaCBS Sports - 9m -
Debating free agency: Which teams improved the most over the past two weeks?
We asked 10 experts to weigh in on the most improved teams, top bargains and head-scratching decisions.ESPN - 11m -
Seeking redemption from last year, Keith Mitchell one of five Valspar co-leaders
Five players posted 4-under-par 67 in the opening round Thursday on the Copperhead course.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Short an ace? In a loaded AL East? Here's why the Orioles think they can win anyway
Their window is wide-open, but they're 0-5 in October the past two seasons. Are they wasting an opportunity -- or is this their year?ESPN - 14m -
NCAA bracket 2025: Printable March Madness bracket, NCAA Tournament predictions, picks, scores, seeds
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is underway so get your printable 2025 March Madness bracket hereCBS Sports - 15m