Pay delay for head coach Townsend

The organisation’s board met recently by conference call to discuss once again the ongoing impact of the crisis on both the sport in Scotland and Scottish Rugby as an organisation.

The welfare of all its staff, clubs and players was top of the agenda and a full discussion held on the steps put in place to ensure they were all supported at this difficult time.

It was noted that significant and detailed work was also going on, at a pace, to review the considerable financial effects on Scottish Rugby and the game in Scotland at all levels in respect of COVID-19.

The board approved a 30 per cent salary deferral from April 1 to September 1 for the chief executive officer and a 25 per cent salary/fees deferral for the same period for the executive and non-executive directors.

Along with Gregor Townsend, the country’s other two main head coaches, Richard Cockerill (Edinburgh) and Dave Rennie (Glasgow Warriors), have also agreed to a 25 per cent salary deferral, alongside Jim Mallinder, director of performance rugby, for the same period, as appropriate.

These initial steps, and others, will be under ongoing review, in light of the challenge the sport faces.

Chairman of the Scottish Rugby Board, Colin Grassie, said: “We are working extremely hard to navigate the sport of rugby in Scotland through these extremely challenging times. We would like to thank all our staff, sponsors and stakeholders for their support and collaboration.

“We have a huge challenge ahead of us but we will get there together and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure the long-term sustainability of Scottish Rugby and the sport in Scotland.”

In addition, various business scenarios are being considered regarding the resumption of professional and international rugby, and detailed financial modelling activities are ongoing against each scenario.

It was noted that, similar to other organisations, key events and games being postponed or cancelled had, and would continue to have, a significant material impact on finances.

The board was provided an update on PRO14, EPCR and Six Nations in respect of the challenges all these organisations that support its finances were also having.

The board is currently closely analysing the Government support options being offered to organisations, so it could continue to feed these into informing its actions.

It was noted by the board that the evolving crisis gripping the country would have significant challenges for the game at all levels in Scotland for some time to come.

Once the board hadfurther considered the relevant information and its potential impacts, it intended to share a further update with its staff and stakeholders.

Scottish Rugby has also offered its full support to the Scottish Government and the board was unanimous in wanting the organisation to contribute to the national effort in any way possible.

It was noted that BT Murrayfield had already been offered to the Scottish Government to utilise the facilities in any way the country needs.

In addition, Scottish Rugby’s ‘Threat Management Group’ continued to meet via video conferencing each day to discuss key operational topics in light of COVID-19, including updates on health, people, finance, professional and domestic rugby competitions, rugby development, stadium and facilities, among other critical matters.

All work on Project Eden, the new stadium for Edinburgh Rugby development on the BT Murrayfield back pitches, has been suspended until further notice, in line with public health guidelines.

Scottish Rugby continues to work closely with World Rugby and its fellow Unions in relation to the international calendar moving forward and has no update on the planned 2020 Summer Tour at this time.

Full support is being given to promoting Government public health messaging across Scottish Rugby’s own channels and it joined the #LightitBlue campaign last week, in recognition of the NHS.

All non-critical capital expenditure on BT Murrayfield stadium, and wider projects, have been placed on hold until further notice.