Overview
- At a Thursday news conference in Edinburgh, Townsend said he has not signed any post-World Cup contract and described the Newcastle claim as pure speculation.
- The Daily Telegraph reported he will take charge at Newcastle after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but no agreement has been confirmed.
- He continues in a part-time advisory role with Red Bull-owned Newcastle, providing strategic input as the club recruits heavily under new ownership.
- In naming his side to face Italy, he omitted Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe from the matchday squad and put Darcy Graham on the bench, with Tom Jordan, Jamie Dobie and Kyle Steyn starting in the back three.
- Newcastle have lined up 16 signings for next season, including England scrum-half Raffi Quirke, highlighting the scale of the project Townsend has been advising.