Scots’ try drought is thick end of the wedge for Scott Johnston

When Scotland’s touring squad was announced last Wednesday, there was a little round fella wandering around Murrayfield with the glazed eyes of a newbie. Step forward Scott Johnston, who does not officially start until the squad touches down in Australia. Your diarist engaged the native Australian who appeared a cheery sort of soul, as indeed you would be if you were paid the thick end of £200,000 per year to teach players to run around rather than through the opposition. Mind you, after scoring just four tries throughout the Six Nations that money will look well spent if Johnston can chivvy the boys in blue across the Wallaby whitewash once or twice in Newcastle.

One coach arrives and another one leaves? Well, that’s the story if a rumour emanating from Dublin turns out to be true. The word from our man in the car parked across the street from the IRFU offices is that Ireland have offered the job of scrum coach to Scotland’s Massimo Cuttitta, who was also offered the same position by his native Italy last week. Evidently Cuttitta has a six-month notice period but Italy want someone to start on Monday. Ireland may negotiate his release with the SRU but, according to a friend, Cuttitta has stated that he won’t break his contract since Scotland gave a job when he most needed one.

IF OUSTED Glasgow coach Sean Lineen feels hard done by, spare a thought for Ulster’s Brian McLaughlin. Not only has he been bumped down to the academy from the start of next season despite seeing his side into yesterday’s Heineken final, but his Kiwi replacement has become mired in controversy. Mark Anscombe was coach to New Zealand under-20 side and he will take the Ulster reins next up but his son Gareth plays centre for the struggling Auckland Blues, whose coach Pat Lam received a text message from Anscombe’s phone recently. It suggested that Gareth would look a bit better if he didn’t play outside all those “n***ers”. Anscombe insists that he didn’t send the text which, I’m sure, will make McLaughlin feel much better.