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Gregor Townsend: Scotland head coach extends contract until 2021

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend has spoken of his admiration for the work ethic of Pep Guardiola's sides. Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has extended his contract with Scottish Rugby until 2021.

Townsend has held the position since June 2017 and guided Scotland to a third place finish at the 2018 Six Nations, where they beat England for the first time in 10 years.

"I have always been incredibly proud to coach Scotland and I'm delighted and grateful to be able to extend my involvement with the national team," Townsend, 45, said.

"It's a privilege to coach such a hardworking group of quality players, which is continuing to grow in depth."

Townsend was previously head coach of Glasgow Warriors between 2012 and 2017, leading the side to its first PRO14 title in 2015.

His spell with the national team has so far been defined by open and expansive attacking rugby, with Scotland averaging four tries a Test in his first 14 matches.

As well as recording a famous Calcutta Cup win over England in March, Townsend's Scotland have also beaten Australia home and away and ran New Zealand close in a 22-17 defeat last Autumn.

Scotland play Wales, Fiji, South Africa and Argentina in the upcoming Autumn Tests and will face Ireland, Samoa, Japan and Russia in Pool A of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.