Clark Laidlaw says he would welcome conversation with Scottish Rugby

Clark Laidlaw, the Scottish coach who led the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby title, has said the prospect of working in international rugby appeals to him.

Gregor Townsend is expected to step down as Scotland head coach when his contract expires at the end of 2027, after the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

It means the national team will be looking for a new boss for the first time in a decade. Franco Smith, the Glasgow Warriors head coach, is considered the favourite to succeed Townsend. Smith has revitalised Glasgow in four years in charge and led them to the United Rugby Championship title in 2024.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw poses for a photo with his family after winning the Super Rugby Grand Final against the Chiefs in Wellington, New Zealand, in June. | Getty Images

However, Laidlaw’s credentials are also strong, with his success in New Zealand earlier this year with the Hurricanes the highlight. His team thrashed the Chiefs 60-5 in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific final.

Speaking to BBC Scotland’s Rugby Podcast, Laidlaw, 49, said he would be happy to talk to the SRU if they were to approach him but he would have to consider his family situation.

‘It would be a big decision’

“I would welcome a conversation,” he said. “I'm not sure where that would get to. As you say, family-wise, it would be a big decision now to think about upping the sticks and moving back to Scotland. But yeah, you never know in sport.

“One thing I have learned, you can't plan too much. Opportunities will come. Sometimes you're at least expecting them, good and bad. That's the reality of professional sport, isn't it? So my focus at the minute will be to prepare the Hurricanes as best as possible and to try and continue to improve as a coach and a leader of this club.

“If that leads to international rugby eventually somewhere one day, then that'll be something I would definitely look at. But I've definitely learned that looking too far ahead in sport can trip you up.”

A former Scotland Sevens international, Laidlaw coached the New Zealand Sevens team to victory at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens. They also won the World Rugby Sevens Series and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Having previously been an assistant coach at Hurricanes, he returned to the Wellington-based franchise in 2020. He has also coached at London Irish. Hailing originally from Jedburgh, Laidlaw comes from a famous rugby family, with dad Roy being part of Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam side and cousin Greg being a former Scotland captain. Laidlaw’s youngest brother Chris is an assistant coach with Scotland Women.