4 Greig Laidlaw
Few figures have shaped modern Scottish rugby quite like Greig Laidlaw. A talismanic presence for nearly a decade, he won 76 caps, captained Scotland a record 39 times and retired as the nation’s second-highest points scorer.
Calm under pressure and fiercely competitive, Laidlaw embodied leadership throughout a demanding international career.
Since retiring in 2019, he has quietly begun his coaching journey in Japan, gaining experience away from the scrutiny of the Test arena. While still very much a long-term project, his deep understanding of Scottish rugby culture sets him apart.
Experience at both scrum-half and fly-half gives him a broad tactical perspective, while his influence off the field was universally respected. Appointing Laidlaw would be a bold, future-facing decision rather than an immediate solution, but one worth watching closely.
3 Joe Schmidt
Elite pedigree defines Joe Schmidt’s coaching career. At club level, he oversaw an unprecedented period of success with Leinster, reaching six finals and winning four trophies in just three seasons. That momentum carried into international rugby, where he transformed Ireland into a world power between 2013 and 2019, delivering three Six Nations titles, a Grand Slam and historic victories over New Zealand.
After later roles with the All Blacks and Australia, Schmidt remains one of the sharpest tactical minds in the game. His current tenure with the Wallabies, set to end soon, makes a move north unlikely, particularly given family considerations. Were availability not an issue, Scotland would struggle to find a more accomplished candidate. For now, however, this remains more theoretical than realistic.
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