Rugby Union: Dixon insists he will not stand down

Richie Dixon, the Scotland rugby union coach, said yesterday that he has no intention of quitting despite calls for him to be replaced by the director of rugby, Jim Telfer.

Dixon's position has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of last week's record home defeat to South Africa and the earlier Murrayfield debacle against Australia.

A host of former players and pundits have demanded changes with Telfer - such a successful motivating force with the Lions in the summer - seen as an obvious choice to resume a more "hands-on" coaching role.

Charged with co-ordinating the future direction of the game in Scotland under his director of rugby title, Telfer also took a hand in squad sessions alongside Dixon and his assistant David Johnston in the run-up to both internationals.

The man he worked with for the Lions in South Africa, Ian McGeechan, is another who many feel should have a greater input into the national set-up than the consultancy role he is employed in at present.

But Dixon insisted he is quite happy with their present level of involvement and scoffed at suggestions his position was under threat.

He told BBC Scotland: "If Jim Telfer thought he would do better, then obviously he would have replaced me. I work very well with David Johnston, and I work very well with Ian McGeechan - we coached the Scotland team together in 1991 and 1992.

"We know each other very well but he has a commitment down at Northampton. I don't look upon them as a threat. They are there to help us as and when required."

- Bryn Palmer