Gregor Townsend signs new contract extension as Scotland manager until 2027

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a new contract extension that will keep him in the job until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

He took over in 2017 so the new deal will see him pass the 10 year mark as Scotland head coach.

The 50-year-old is the longest-serving manager of the national team in the professional era.

His last deal was set to expire after next year’s Six Nations, but he has now signed a new one that keeps him at the helm until after the 2027 World Cup.

It comes after recently-appointed Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson indicated in June that he would be keen to retain Townsend.

Asked if he was keen to remain in charge for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, Townsend previously said: “As I said, it’s not something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about.

“This job gives me a huge purpose in my life, but it also demands a lot of energy. And just now all my energy is going into helping the other coaches and the team.”

The World Cup draw takes place in December and this time around it will feature six groups of four teams, with the top six in the world rankings heading up each group.