Williams pays price for woeful record

SCOTLAND coach Matt Williams has paid the ultimate price for his poor record in charge of the national team.

The former Leinster coach has been axed by the SRU along with forwards coach Willie Anderson and national coaching co-ordinator Brett Igoe.

The 45-year-old won just three Tests against Samoa, Japan and Italy out of 17 after succeeding Ian McGeechan following the 2003 World Cup.

But, with a simple statement, the SRU ended the disastrous 17-month reign of the Australian.

The statement said: "Interim arrangements regarding national coaching staff for the Barbarians and Romania matches will be announced shortly."

Williams suffered a RBS 6 Nations whitewash in his first competitive matches in charge of the Scottish team before further losses against Australia and South Africa in the summer and the autumn compounded the agonies of the national side.

The Scotland coach then oversaw another poor Six Nations this year where only the kicking of Chris Paterson fended off the wooden spoon with an 18-10 win over Italy at Murrayfield.

But, with speculation rife about dressing-room discontent, there was little option for the governing body than to axe Williams and his coaches.

The SRU had held a series of meetings to discuss the national team's performances under Williams and his future.

Sean Lineen has been widely tipped as a possible successor and was linked with the post when McGeechan announced his decision to move 'upstairs' at Murrayfield to replace Jim Telfer as director of rugby.

Scotland legend Doddie Weir insisted last night the decision to sack Williams is the first step to winning back credibility.

He said: "I'm quite glad that the SRU are being accountable for the first time in a long time. It is nice to see them stand up and try to get some credibility back. Scottish rugby is at rock-bottom just now and getting credibility back meant removing Matt Williams. But I'm sad that it has come to this."

Meanwhile, Munster pair Jim Williams (elbow) and Jason Holland (knee) will undergo fitness tests later in the week to determine whether they will be available for selection for the Celtic Cup quarter-final clash with Edinburgh on Saturday at Thomond Park (7.30).

Ronan O'Gara continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury but will not be involved with the squad preparation for Saturday's game while a decision will be taken later in the week about Brian Lima's availability.

Leinster are expected to name a full squad for Friday's Celtic Cup quarter-final with Glasgow at Lansdowne Road.

Elsewhere, Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy has admitted that Leicester face an uphill battle as they attempt to rescue a season which is slipping towards a bitterly disappointing conclusion.

The Tigers' last remaining chance of finishing the campaign with some silverware rests with the Zurich Premiership title after they were knocked out of the Heineken Cup with a comprehensive 27-19 defeat by Toulouse in Sunday's semi-final.

With the Heineken Cup dream over for another year attention shifts to domestic action where the Tigers pre-season favourites to lift the title have also slipped in recent weeks, relinquishing top-spot to defending champions Wasps.