The decision by Scottish Rugby bosses has divided opinion among supporters, but McGeechan – the last man to guide Scotland to a major trophy when he and Jim Telfer coached the team to the 1999 Five Nations title – believes it was the right call.  

“I think it’s the right move for Scotland,” he said, while describing Townsend’s new contract, which will see him lead Scotland to a third Rugby World Cup, as “brilliant” news. 

Sir Ian McGeechan has given his backing to Gregor Townsend(Image: Getty Images for Sale Sharks)

McGeechan added: “We’ve got a coach here that’s ahead of most, not just in Scotland. And I think he’ll keep pushing the game, which is going to be important, I think.” 

And the man who led the Lions to their series win over then-world champions South Africa back in 1997 believes Scotland are not far away from becoming serious challengers to win titles.  

“You need a good forward performance for a good back group,” he said.  

“Scotland have got a good game, and Gregor will say it all the time, it’s just the consistency of execution at key moments.  

“We’ve been in enough game-winning positions, just not quite seeing it off, sometimes.” 

McGeechan picked Townsend at fly-half for all three tests on that Lions tour 28 years ago and has kept in touch with the current Scotland boss, though he did not discuss the nature of their conversations.  

Townsend was one of several Scotland players involved in the 1997 tour success who went on to help Scotland win the Five Nations two years later.  

McGeechan believes the experience gained by the Scotland contingent on this summer’s series win over Australia this summer could be a “hugely” significant in turning the fortunes of the national team.  

The Lions legend believes Finn Russell & Co will have learned so much from the summer’s tour(Image: David Davies)

“Going back to Gregor in 1997, when you play with the very best, it shows you what you can do and what it brings out of yourself. 

“And I think Finn Russell, how he performed with the players he had around him, showed the same.  

“You come back with a confidence, but also I think with a better understanding collectively of what the game can be like and the sort of role you can play.” 

McGeechan, 78, was hoping to catch up with Townsend on his return to Edinburgh over the weekend.  

He is now consultant director of rugby at Doncaster Knights and was in the stands to give the coaching team advice in their win over a young Edinburgh Rugby team on Friday.  

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He was pleased with what he saw – not just from the CHAMP Rugby side. 

“We were good,” he declared of the Knights, who won a 12-try encounter 43-33.  

“We weren’t very good first half, really. We talked very clinically about it at half-time and changed just a couple of things, and suddenly it looked a different game.” 

But McGeechan was also encouraged by the performances of the young Edinburgh players.  

Edinburgh fly-half Ross Wolfenden caught the eye against Doncaster(Image: Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock)

“I thought the Edinburgh boys played well, the young boys, so from a Scottish perspective I was quite pleased to see what might be coming through,” he continued. 

And the legendary coach, who was also at the helm when Scotland won the 19990 Grand Slam, also provided a welcoming update on his own health.  

McGeechan was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May this year but revealed he is currently in good health.  

“Got the all-clear at the moment,” he confirmed.