Gregor Townsend has acknowledged that this might be his final Six Nations as Scotland boss.
The Scotland head coach’s current deal ends later this year and it has been widely speculated he ‘will quit Scotland’ after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Townsend said: “I’m not contracted beyond this year so of course [it could be a last Six Nations as Scotland coach],”
French media reports have claimed Townsend has been approached about taking up a position in France’s set-up following the World Cup.
“I did get a contact from France, but it was just an initial enquiry and there was nothing further from that because we obviously play France in the Six Nations so I didn’t want to talk any further with them about that,” he said.
“Nothing about Leicester. I read that with some surprise. Most of the things I’ve read are speculation.”
Townsend does not believe uncertainty over his future will have any adverse effects on his team for the rest of the 2023 Six Nations..
He said: “No, I think it will be the last thing on the players’ minds,
“We have a really important year of rugby for the national team. The Six Nations is a massive part of that, the World Cup is obviously huge.
“So much work has to go in for these five games that nothing else really comes into anybody’s thoughts.
“It is such an intense period for us and we have to be on it for that seven weeks to bring the best out of our team, and our players know that as well.”
Next Scotland boss:
Fiji has reached out to Robertson to lead their national team until the World Cup in France, following Vern Cotter’s recent resignation.
Nevertheless, reports from New Zealand suggest that Fiji is not the only union showing interest in the Crusaders boss, as Scotland has also inquired about the 48-year-old’s availability.
Scotland are reportedly considering two Kiwi contenders for the job, namely Robertson and Blues coach Leon MacDonald.