Townsend set to advise Newcastle in Red Bull role

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is set to advise Newcastle on strategy and philosophy after taking on a part-time role with Red Bull.

The 52-year-old signed an extension last month that will keep him with Scotland until the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

He will spend 30 days a year working on Red Bull's global rugby strategy in a non-executive position. Newcastle are the only rugby club in their portfolio.

Having been in charge of Scotland since 2017, Townsend was linked with a move to Newcastle as director of rugby prior to agreeing his contract in September.

The Red Bull arrangement was agreed at the same time as his Scotland deal and has the backing of his Murrayfield bosses.

Townsend's 30 days will all be outside of all international windows so the union are confident his focus will not be blurred by the additional role.

Furthermore, safeguards are in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest with the work Townsend does with Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.

Newcastle are the first rugby union club to become part of the Red Bull stable.

The Austria-based company already has significant interests in football, motor racing and winter sports.

Scottish Rugby believe having one of their key coaches with access to Red Bull's operation will only be of benefit to his existing work with the national team.

The need for a third professional team - or closer links to an English side - has been a talking point in Scottish rugby, though there has been no dialogue on that as yet.

"Gregor is a knowledge fiend who has always tried to learn from different sport in different parts of the world," said a source close to the union.

"This is just a continuation of that. He's scratching a development itch and the SRU will get the benefits of it with a connection with a giant sporting brand."

As a player, utility back Townsend played in Australia, England, France and his native Scotland.

Newcastle finished 10th in last season's Premiership and opened the new campaign with a home defeat by Saracens.

At the same time as the Townsend news emerged, it was announced that they have parted company with director of rugby Steve Diamond.

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