Hunt for new Scotland boss begins
April 09 2009
The hunt for Scotland's next head coach began in earnest after the Scottish Rugby Union advertised for the position on their website.
The SRU are looking for a successor for Frank Hadden, who quit just over a week ago after four years in charge.
Candidates to replace Hadden have until Monday, April 20 to submit their applications.
Former England boss Andy Robinson is favourite to land the role.
The Edinburgh head coach is currently deciding whether or not to apply and is set to reveal his decision when he returns from holiday next week.
Glasgow boss Sean Lineen - a former Scotland international - is also thought to be in the frame but he has so far refused to confirm his interest.
SRU chief executive Gordon McKie last week insisted the board would not be rushed into an appointment and that the search for candidates would be worldwide and regardless of nationality.
In terms of the criteria needed to fill the vacancy, the advert at the Stotland website states: "The role requires powerful motivational and leadership skills as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
"You will be able to understand the requirements of managing and coaching a rugby team comprising home-based and 'exile' players and be able to develop and implement the strategies to cope with these demands."
Meanwhile, the SRU were today forced to take drastic action after an "unprecedented" demand for tickets for Scotland's home matches in next season's Six Nations.
The first batch of tickets for the Murrayfield games against England and France went on sale on the SRU's website on Wednesday, ten months before the fixtures take place.
The 10,258 sold in two hours was a record for the site, which initially struggled to cope with the number of people logging on.
The SRU were forced to implement a queuing system to ease congestion and, as of 4.30pm, 9,928 tickets had been bought for the Calcutta Cup clash on Saturday, March 13, while 2,505 tickets had been sold for Scotland's opening fixture against France on Sunday, February 7.
"Due to the unprecedented, record level of demand in the opening hours of the online sale, some supporters may have experienced a delay in buying their tickets," saod an SRU spokesman.
"But we thank them for their perseverance and for their support of Scottish Rugby.
"Ticket sales are progressing apace at present."