Rugby Union: Scotland turn to Telfer
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Your support makes all the difference.HAVING achieved virtually every honour playing and coaching rugby can bring, Jim Telfer will shortly turn his hobby into his career when he becomes Scotland's first paid director of coaching, writes Steve Bale. His appointment was announced in Edinburgh yesterday at the same time as Gavin Hastings was reappointed the national captain.
Before the start of the season, this is an unprecedented declaration of faith by the Scottish Rugby Union in the commanding full-back, who led Scotland to two wins and two defeats last season. Hastings was an esteemed captain of the Lions who lost the recent Test series in New Zealand 2-1.
Telfer, 53, captained Scotland and coached the 1984 Grand Slam side, was a Lion in 1966 and 1968, and the Lions coach in 1983. He will remain the coach of Melrose, the Scottish club champions, for one more season, even though he will be based at Murrayfield when he takes up his post and relinquishes the headship of Hawick High School in November. 'My immediate priority is to service the national side and develop more quality coaches,' he said.
As chairman of the SRU's coaching advisory panel, Telfer was responsible for drawing up what turned out to be his own job specification, though when the decision to create the post was taken last season it was widely thought it was being made ready for Ian McGeechan. Instead, the 1993 Lions coach preferred to pursue his career in insurance after retiring as Scotland coach.
Telfer's brief includes the development of a national philosophy and playing strategy, from the national team downwards.
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