Townsend takes on Red Bull role – but where do Newcastle fit in?

After taking a part-time position with Red Bull, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will provide advice to Newcastle regarding strategy and philosophy.

The 52-year-old last signed a contract extension last month that will keep him with Scotland until the 2027 World Cup in Australia is over.

He will work non-executively for Red Bull for 30 days a year on the company’s global rugby strategy. The only rugby team in their portfolio is Newcastle.

Townsend, who has been in charge of Scotland since 2017, had been linked with a move to Newcastle as rugby director prior to signing his contract in September.

Townsend’s 30-day shift will be spent entirely outside of all international window, so the union is confident that the additional role won’t distract him from his intended purpose.

Additionally, safeguards have been put in place to prevent Townsend’s work with the Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors from being in conflict of interest.

A representative for Scottish Rugby claimed that the decision was made “with Scottish Rugby’s full knowledge and support.”

They continued, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Gregor to work for one of the biggest sporting organizations in the world.”

We believe that Scottish Rugby will benefit from having high-level strategic conversations with a force at the highest level.

We see Gregor’s new position working alongside his full commitment to his position as Scotland’s head coach.

The Red Bull stable includes Newcastle, the first rugby union organization.

Football, motor racing, and winter sports are already closely allied with the Austria-based business.

Newcastle opened the new campaign with a home defeat to Saracens, finishing 10th in the Premiership last year.

The communications department for Scottish Rugby takes pains to point out that Townsend’s deal on rugby strategy is with the world-renowned brand, rather than the one rugby team that Red Bulls of Newcastle actually owns.

There was a lot of dancing on the head of a pin from some at Murrayfield, perhaps as a result of a fear of breaking conflict of interest laws.

Whom does Townsend consult on rugby strategy, philosophy, and culture if he has no involvement with Red Bull’s rugby team in the Premiership?

Although these issues are unrelated, Red Bulls of Newcastle did release more information on Wednesday.

Some fans have already referred to it as a Scottish takeover. These new additions must be a series of coincidences if Townsend isn’t advising the rugby club.

There is a tinge of hope within Murrayfield that working relationships with a sizable company like Red Bull will benefit both Townsend and the SRU.

Without any funding, the SRU could build Glasgow and Edinburgh a much-needed third professional team. They only have the resources to engage with their younger players, who need to play more games.

Although there is no direct business relationship between the SRU and the Red Bulls, it might be possible to loan out young, underdeveloped Scots to this ambitious new club and give them more game time than they might at home.

Although there hasn’t been any discussion of this kind, and perhaps not, Townsend’s entry into the Red Bull world could benefit both him and the SRU in general.