Anderson For Scotland

It now seems certain that Willie Anderson will renew his partnership with Matt Williams when he accepts the job as assistant coach of the Scotland national side.

The following report appeared in The Scotsman newspaper yesterday.
Ireland captain Willie Anderson has revealed that he has accepted an offer from the Scottish Rugby Union to take over as Scotland’s forwards coach.

The SRU denied he had yet been offered the job, but it is understood that they are merely refraining from making an announcement until negotiations with the Irish RFU over the last year of Anderson’s contract with Leinster are complete.

As revealed in The Scotsman over two weeks ago, Anderson was approached by Matt Williams, who took up the reins as Scotland national coach in December, when Todd Blackadder decided to step down from the post and continue playing with Edinburgh.

Anderson said: “I’m delighted to be offered the position as assistant coach to the Scottish national team. It’s a great opportunity to get back into international rugby again – a fresh and exciting challenge.

“I’m honoured that the SRU have been sufficiently impressed with my CV to make me this offer and I’m looking forward to reuniting my partnership with Matt. It’s been a friendship and working relationship dating back to 1991.”

Anderson and Williams first met in 1991 when the Irishman toured Australia studying their rugby development systems and the pair linked up at Leinster in 2000.

Anderson, a former Ireland lock, was passed over for the head coach roles at Ulster and Leinster, and admitted that those decisions had prompted him to leave the country.

It is understood he will retain his home in Northern Ireland and commute to Scotland for international camps.

Though refusing to confirm Anderson’s appointment, Williams admitted that he now intends for his new assistant to join him on the Scotland tour in Australia.