SRU axe McGeechan's old role

The Scottish Rugby Union will dispense with the role of director of rugby as part the reorganisation under new chief executive Gordon McKie.

The post has been held by interim appointment Richie Dixon, since former incumbent Ian McGeechan quit to join Wasps in April.

Applications had been invited for the post but McKie will now inform all potential candidates the role will cease to exist under the SRU revamp.

He said: “The director of rugby role as currently defined is huge and embraces every conceivable facet of the game – be it international, elite, professional, community and the whole myriad of support services in coaching, fitness and conditioning, medical, referees, game analysis, administration and the like.

“We are reviewing the structure of rugby division and it seems clear that it would be more sensible to reorganise some of the constituent parts to enable sharing of best practice across all our rugby interests.

“This would also give greater responsibility to those managing specific areas and place greater emphasis on good communication.

“Consequently, we have advised those who applied for the director of rugby position that we are declining their applications.

“Meantime, I have asked Richie Dixon to continue as interim director of rugby to help in the transition to any new arrangements and thank him for his support.”