Scotland is now in a post-Scott Johnson era as he leaves to become Director of Rugby at the Wallabies following the recently completed Six Nations, and rumours are already swirling that he might do a bit of poaching either before or after the World Cup.
Dave Rennie is being lined up as Wallabies coach after the World Cup, according to reports in press. Longtime Gregor Townsend associate and defence coach Matt Taylor is also quoted as a possibility to coach his homeland as an assistant to Rennie.
Whether they get their choice is another matter, with Rennie having recently signed a contract extension until the end of season 2019/20 and seemingly happy at Glasgow.
Should this happen, Glasgow may lose their head coach. Johnson will also need to put in place an attack coach who both the new coach or outgoing head Michael Cheika can work with, or on a short term contract should any incoming coach want their own choice. Hopefully the Warriors have Jason O’Halloran locked down too.
Johnson was a controversial and slightly untouchable figure during his time in charge but the quality of his recruitment of coaches can’t be argued with. This alone should perhaps worry the SRU.
So long Scott, it’s been real.
If Rennie or Taylor went, who would be your choices to replace them as Warriors head coach or Scotland defence coach?
Update: there’s a good piece over on the BBC with Johnson as his tenure comes to an end.