SRU defends fast-tracking of Chris Paterson into coaching role

Chris Paterson is the latest professional player to move from his playing career straight into a full-time role with the SRU, albeit one that splits his early development as a coach with an ambassadorial position across Scottish rugby.

Few would argue that Paterson was not uniquely placed to provide the SRU with a positive sporting role model but, following on from Gregor Townsend being handed the Glasgow head coach job after just three years in the Test management team, and little time coaching at club level, and the appointment of Australians Scott Johnson and Matt Taylor, and Billy McGinty from Rugby League, to other top posts, it has added to the frustration of club coaches. Many believe the perceived glass ceiling between the club and pro game has only strengthened in recent times.

Graham Lowe, the SRU’s director of performance rugby, acknowledges that it is a problem that mirrors the difficulties in ensuring opportunities for players in a professional game in Scotland that has just two squads.

Mark Dodson, the SRU’s chief executive, has reiterated that there is no finance to fund a third pro team, which would require around £5 million per year.

It is also a fact that there is a gulf between amateur club and professional team coaching, just as it is rare to see a part-time football manager go straight into the manager’s seat at a top SPL club.

However, with the likes of Craig Chalmers at Melrose, Peter Wright, the Scotland under-20 coach who is currently considering offers from abroad, and Currie and Scotland club coach Ally Donaldson all eager for a shot at pro rugby, Lowe insisted that the SRU was looking seriously at creating more stepping stones into full-time coaching.

“With Chris [Paterson] this week, there was a unique opportunity which we had to be aware of,” said Lowe.

“Chris has said that he has a lot of learning to do, and he’s at the beginning of a journey and understands that part of that journey is to get a grounding.

“But, at the same time, as you get into these higher levels of the game there are unique experiences that Chris has from nearly 14 years of playing professional and international rugby that are not easy to grasp if you haven’t been involved as intensely as he has. We don’t want to lose that.

“But we also need to be clear that this is not the only way to develop coaches in Scotland, and that there are different experiences we have to draw on.

“We have a lot of experience in our club game but, with only having two pro teams, we want the best for them and coaches coming in there already have experience of being in a full-time environment, working through a series of coaching practices and demands each day, six days sometimes sevens days a week, within big management teams.

“What we need to do is be able to promote opportunities for coaches within Scotland to get the skills they need to be able to take themselves right through the pathway. That is something we have been exploring for some time, and we have a meeting with our leading club coaches on 17 May to be clear on what the opportunities are.

“With two pro teams the opportunities are limited but we cannot afford for them to be non-existent because of the quality of people in the club game. We need clarity on what those opportunities are, and the possibility for coaches with ambition to come through our system, whether here or perhaps outwith Scotland.

“Many Scottish coaches have gone outside the country to find the experience they need and we will help to find those opportunities too, but we have to make sure there are opportunities both ways if we are to get the best from Scottish talent.”

• A Barbarians side led by Scotland coach Andy Robinson beat Loughborough Students 40-7 last night, with Exeter prop Chris Budgen scoring two of the touring side’s tries.