Former All Black Leon MacDonald has reportedly been in discussion with the Chief Executive of the SRU, about taking over the position of Scotland's Head Coach.
SRU Chief Executive Mark Dodson has reportedly been in discussion with MacDonald, despite the ongoing Six Nations success of Gregor Townsend, Sportsmail report.
MacDonald is currently the Head Coach of the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby, yet could be set to make the switch following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Townsend's current contract with Scotland runs out after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with MacDonald being eyed up as the next in line.
Gregor Townsend's Scotland have started their 2023 Six Nations off on-fire, with two wins from two. They began their campaign with a thrilling 29-23 Calcutta Cup victory against England, and followed this up by dominating Wales 35-7 at Murrayfield. This Sunday Townsend's men travel to Paris to take on France, a win here will line Scotland up to battle it out with Ireland for this year's Six Nations Grand Slam.
MacDonald has also previously coached Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC, and the Crusaders, before switching to Super Rugby rivals the Blues in 2019. MacDonald has proven success as a coach, as he won the 2017 and 2018 Super Rugby seasons with the Crusaders, and took the Blues to the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Final.
As a player, MacDonald achieved 56 caps for the All Blacks. A versatile utility back, MacDonald played fullback and centre, and was able to occasionally lead the line at fly half. A mainstay for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, MacDonald also represented Canterbury in the provincial leagues. A move to Japan took MacDonald to play for Yamaha Jubilo and the Kintetsu Liners.
Scotland hoping four players will swap nations for 2023 Rugby World Cup
We take a look at four rugby union players who could swap nations to represent Scotland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
#1. Ben Healy
- Age: 23
- Position: Fly-half
- Honours: Ireland U20
Healy will join Edinburgh this summer on a two-year deal.
The 23-year-old represented Ireland at under-20 level but qualifies for Scotland through his grandparents.
Healy has featured for the Irish province since 2019, amassing 275 points from 47 appearances.
"It's clear how much they want to play. I'm looking forward to putting myself into a new environment and seeing how I go," Healy told Edinburgh's website.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Munster for their support over the last few seasons. I've loved every minute of my time playing with the club, but I felt now was the right time to take on a new and exciting challenge in Edinburgh."
#2. John Cooney
- Age: 32
- Position: Scrum-half
- Honours: Ireland (11 caps), Emerging Ireland, Ireland U20
The former Connacht ace has not played for Ireland in three years — and can move under World Rugby’s new eligibility rules.
His father, John Cooney senior, who was born in Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, , was a journalist who worked for the
Glasgow Herald before becoming European correspondent, and later religious affairs correspondent, for The Irish Times
Players can switch nations if they have been stood down from international rugby for three years and they, or a parent or grandparent, were born in the country they wish to represent.
DID YOU KNOW? He is the first player to play over 20 games for three different Irish province (Connacht, Leinster, Ulster)
#3. Fin Smith
- Age: 20
- Position: Fly-half
- Honours: England U20
“I have chatted to Fin Smith on three occasions now since the Six Nations and have chatted to other players who are dual qualified that have not made our squad,” said Townsend.
“He is definitely a player we think very highly of.
“He has played a lot of rugby at a young age and just turned 20 a few weeks ago. It was great to get to know the person as well. He has close links with my old club, his grandad played for Gala and the Lions and his mum is from a village three miles from Gala.
“It has been good to get that connection and see how his game is progressing. I thought one of his best games was at the weekend when he played Bath.
“I went down to watch the Premiership final against London Irish so yeah, he is progressing but we didn’t feel this tour is the right time for him and obviously he would have to make a commitment between us and England.”
#4. Zach Mercer
- Age: 25
- Position: Number 8
- Honours: England, England U20, England U18
Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
“I grew up in Scotland and I qualified to play on residency so that’s what I did,” Mercer said.
“I played for Scotland’s U16s because, at the time, I just wanted to play international rugby and to test myself against the best.
“I tried to get into the Scotland U18s a year early but I didn’t get selected. The next year came around and I was gunning to play [for Scotland U18s]. Around the same time, I was looking at some different contracts and that’s when Bath offered me one. When you’re offered a contract by a team like that, you’d be stupid to turn it down so, of course, I accepted it.
“Unfortunately, that was when the coach of the Scotland U18s called me and told me he wasn’t going to pick me because I hadn’t committed to Scotland and to Scottish rugby.
“I remember that day pretty well, because, 20 minutes later, when I told the England U18s head coach I hadn’t been picked, he just said: ‘Come down and play for us then’.”
“After that, my first game for England U18s was against Scotland. Honestly, you couldn’t write it.”
