Rugby: Scotland defence coach defends his work with Sale

Scottish Rugby defence coach Graham Steadman has defended his decision to work two days a week with English Premiership side Sale Sharks.

Ex-rugby league star Steadman, 48, has taken up an invitation from Sharks coach Mike Brewer. Steadman said: "I worked very well with Mike during his spell working as forwards coach with the SRU and when he got the Sale position he asked me if I could come down and do some work with him on the defensive side of things.

"I had a chat with my bosses - Andy Robinson the head coach and Graham Lowe the director of performance rugby - and they were very supportive and could see the value in it.

"I'm very flexible. I can invariably do two days a week working with the Sale squad to fit in alongside my full-time commitments up in Scotland. "My work remit is obviously a full-time position with Scotland and that takes priority but, in-between that, the fact that I can work things around to do two days a week with Sale helps as part of my own development.

"The good thing is that both Andy and Graham, who are my direct bosses, were very supportive to it and could see the benefits, not only for Scotland but for me in terms of adding to my experience as a coach.

"I will sit down with my management team in Scotland and map out the month ahead and then around that I will let Mike know what my availability is," he added.

"I won't be able to go to every Sale game because of Scotland's Autumn Test programme and then the Six Nations. However, Mike knows I'm available on certain dates and he is meticulous in his planning and works two to three months in advance."