Scotland's head coach Gregor Townsend has extended his contract until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, reflecting confidence in his leadership and the team's potential.

Townsend's extension was announced during a press conference in Edinburgh, attended by Scottish Rugby officials, including CEO Alex Williamson and performance director David Nucifora.

The decision to retain Townsend was supported by ongoing assessments of global coaching options, emphasizing the importance of continuity ahead of the next World Cup.

Townsend, now nearing a decade in charge, has overseen notable successes, including historic wins in Paris and Twickenham, and four consecutive Calcutta Cups since 1970.

His tenure has coincided with increased player selections for the British and Irish Lions, and he also served as an assistant coach in 2021.

Townsend is focusing on preparations for upcoming fixtures, including a marquee Test against New Zealand in November, and faces pressure to improve Scotland’s Six Nations results.

The team aims to improve its international standing, targeting success in autumn tests against teams like the USA, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga, and a strong showing in the 2026 Six Nations.

Scottish Rugby is investing heavily in high-performance resources, including additional support staff, to strengthen the team’s development and success.

A new player pathway program has been launched, incorporating experts from various sports and AI, to develop future talent more effectively.

The upcoming 2027 World Cup draw is expected to be more favorable for Scotland, increasing their chances of progressing further in the tournament.

While acknowledging fan dissatisfaction, Nucifora dismissed emotional reactions and expressed confidence in Townsend’s leadership and ongoing talent evaluation.

Discussions regarding the recruitment of a new performance director are ongoing, with a press conference planned to address this and other high-performance department updates.