Overview
- Townsend said he has not signed any contract beyond the 2027 World Cup and rejected suggestions he has agreed to join Newcastle Red Bulls.
- The Daily Telegraph reported he would take charge after the World Cup, a claim for which no corroborating evidence has been presented.
- Townsend holds a part-time consultancy with Red Bull, Newcastle’s owner, and Newcastle head coach Alan Dickens has acknowledged Townsend spent time with the club’s set-up.
- The Times previously reported Gavin Vaughan, a long-time member of Townsend’s staff, will become Newcastle’s head of recruitment after the Six Nations as the club continues a wider hiring push.
- On selection for Italy, Townsend left Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe out of the 23 with Darcy Graham on the bench, handing starts to Tom Jordan at full-back and wingers Jamie Dobie and Kyle Steyn.