Townsend insists Red Bulls work won't get in the way

GREGOR Townsend insists his contentious decision to take on a new advisory role with Red Bull will not have any negative bearing on his ability to continue leading Scotland.

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After extending his contract with the national team in September until the 2027 World Cup, it emerged earlier this month that the long-serving head coach will be spending 30 days a year working on Red Bull's global rugby strategy in a non-executive position.

Townsend was criticised in some quarters for accepting a part-time job while being in charge of his country, but he is adamant there is no need for concern.

Asked at a press conference on Tuesday for the naming of his squad for the autumn internationals if he understood why there had been a backlash, the 52-year-old said: "Yeah, look, everyone's got their opinions.

"It's something that obviously I talked about with Scottish Rugby, and the benefits that we saw in the role.