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February 14, 2003

Warriors to appoint Scottish assistant

Posted by Editor on February 14, 2003 11:52 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author
Kiwi Searancke intends to appoint a Scottish assistant to help him with his backs section and wants the new man to be in place by the end of April.

Searancke needs a replacement for Steve Anderson, the Australian backs coach who will be taking up a central post with the SRU, and believes that it is his duty to seek a Scot to fill the role. He told The Herald: "It would be fair to say I would not be looking too far out of Scotland. I see a part of my role to help develop a coach in Scotland. My first look will be to see who's around inside the Scottish system right now. I believe the credentials are they must have coached or been part of a coaching organisation at the top club level in Scotland."

The two leading backs coaches that fit that bill are Sean Lineen, of Boroughmuir, and Melrose's Gary Parker while Andy Nicol, the Glasgow scrum-half, is understood to be keen on a coaching career. Ritchie Gray, the Borders academy manager, is also though to be a possible candidate. It's thought that a lack of experience may count against the Glasgow captain.

Lineen is currently involved with the Scotland Under-21 team as well as Boroughmuir while Parker coaches Melrose. "My hard-line criteria to start with is somebody who has a reasonable coaching background right now. If nobody in Scotland puts their hand up, we'll have to look outside."

Searancke is also beginning the process of strengthening his squad, although he emphasises that he is happy with the majority of the players at the club. "I have a big pool of players I want to hang on to, but it is a matter of identifying positions and finding the right players. We have to make sure they are not only an advantage to us, but also to Scottish rugby. That is an important part of our role."

Current internationals Mattie Stewart and Andy Craig have been mentioned in the press as possible targets for the Warriors.

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