Borders trainers join Scotland coaching team

The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has appointed George Graham and Alan Tait to full-time coaching positions with the national team.

Graham and Tait leave their positions with Border Reivers to take up the appointments ahead of a World Cup year, having worked part-time with the national management team for the past 19 months.

Both former internationals start work within the Scotland set-up next week, teaming up with head coach Frank Hadden, analyst Gavin Scott and team manager Guy Richardson.

Graham will have responsibility for the Scotland forwards, while Tait's focus will be on defence.

Hadden said: "George and Alan have been integral to the national management team and their influence on the players' displays since May 2005, where we have won nine out of 16 games, cannot be underestimated.

"I am very pleased that they will now be working on the national team, preparing our players for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship, then our warm-up matches, before the World Cup kicks-off in September.

"Their appointment will also ensure that we leave no stone unturned in our analysis of our World Cup opponents."

Hadden was quick to bring in both men on part-time roles when he landed the Scotland job, initially on an interim basis, in April 2005.

Since a decent Six Nations campaign at the start of this year, when Scotland finished third - ahead of England - Hadden's team have shown mixed form.

They were beaten twice in South Africa, then overcame Romania and the Pacific Islands, before suffering a heavy home loss to Australia.

Hadden said: "Everything we do from here on in is geared towards delivering a special performance at the World Cup this coming autumn."

Borders have been compensated for losing two senior coaches, with the SRU ensuring their replacements are of similar calibre.

Former Scotland and Glasgow Warriors coach Richie Dixon becomes Steve Bates' assistant, and Scotland U20 head coach Greig Oliver will also become involved in training - both men joining on an interim basis.

Reivers head coach Bates expects Graham and Tait to prove shrewd appointments.

Bates said: "I'm pleased for both George and Alan.

"At the Border Reivers we are committed to Scottish Rugby and Scotland doing well, especially in a World Cup year.

"George and Alan's appointments with the national team reflect positively on what both have done with the Reivers."