It's black for Matt


SPECULATION increased today on Matt Williams’ future as the Scotland rugby coach, with the Scottish Rugby Union expected to call time on the beleaguered Australian.

Scotland have lost 14 of their 17 Tests under Williams’ charge and their miserable RBS Six Nations campaign ended with a 43-22 defeat to England at Twickenham on Saturday.

With a meagre one win out of ten Six Nations games since Williams took over, Scotland’s performance in the tournament is currently being reviewed by the SRU but some reports claim a decision has already been made to end Williams’ tenure before the autumn Tests.

The Scottish Rugby Union however, have dismissed reports that that Williams is to be replaced. An SRU statement read: "We are not going to comment on media speculation. That is all this is.

"There is a standard process at the end of every tournament and that process is ongoing.

"Until that process is completed we will not be fuelling media speculation. There was a meeting between the coach and director of rugby but that is a regular occurrence."

Williams has come under increasing fire in recent weeks with reports circulating that not all players are happy with his regime. Improvement has not been much in evidence and with Scotland only managing to win a solitary Six Nations game this time round a number of former internationals have called for Williams’ removal.

Ex-Scotland and British Lions number eight John Beattie feels, as a foreigner, Williams has been subjected to a disproportionate level of criticism but does believe it may be time for a change.

Beattie, who also called for Ian McGeechan to give the SRU a clean slate to work with by quitting as director of rugby, told BBC Radio Five Live: "It’s typical Scottish small-mindedness. It is quite easy to give an excuse and blame an Australian import.

"There are exact parallels with Berti Vogts. You can easily blame and be quite cruel to somebody because they are from another country.

"I happen to believe he has run out of time because he has been losing the press and the public and, fundamentally, losing games.

"But because he was foreign he got a harder time than a Scot would get.

"Now it is time for some Scot to get in there and say ‘I will do this’."

Andy Irvine, Doddie Weir, Iain Morrison and Jim Aitken are also believed to have added their voices for the call to remove Williams after only 16 months in the job

BBC Scotland has already reported that the coach will not be in charge for the Autumn tests. However, it now appears Williams will not survive in the post beyond the end of March.

This article was posted on 22-Mar-2005, 15:28 by Hugh Barrow.