Out-of-work Brewer linked with Scots coaching post

Published on Wednesday 30 July 2008 10:41

FORMER All Blacks flanker Mike Brewer has been linked with a role as coach to Scotland's rugby forwards, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

The 43-year-old is out of rugby work after resigning as forwards coach at Irish province Leinster at the end of last season and his name has been mentioned in relation to a position left vacant following the departure of George Graham. Ex-SRU academy coach Peter Wright told the Evening News: "I've heard the name of Mike Brewer mentioned for a job with Scotland as well as the former Irish forwards coach Tom O'Donovan."

Murrayfield officials will neither confirm or deny any applicants to assist head coach Frank Hadden, who has also to find a successor for defensive guru Alan Tait, another summer departure.

However, if the SRU was to go for Brewer the governing body would be following a trend which has seen the likes of Todd Blackadder given coaching responsibilities with Scotland after being brought over from New Zealand. In Brewer they would be acquiring the services of an individual who gained considerable experience as a player, having been capped 32 times for New Zealand.

On the coaching front, he knows the European scene having worked with English side West Hartlepool at the start of the professional era. He also coached Italian side L'Aquila before moving on to Leinster.