LIONS legend Roger Baird, 47, today called on Murrayfield bosses to find a suitable role for axed assistant Scotland coach Alan Tait, 43.
The pair were colleagues at Kelso and Scotland before going their separate ways – Tait to Widnes at the start of a rugby league career and Baird remaining true to the union code he graced in particular style as top try-scorer on the 1983 Lions tour o
f New Zealand.
And Baird, speaking at a photocall for the Emirates Airlines Edinburgh Sevens on May 31-June 1 during which he will act as an ambassador, recalled how "pearl" Tait was too good a tactician to be allowed to fade from the Murrayfield scene, albeit the powers that be have said input in some capacity will be offered.
As Sean Lineen prepares to slip into the same role as backs adviser to Frank Hadden who keeps his job despite the national team avoiding a second successive RBS Six Nations series wooden spoon on points difference, Baird, who prefaced his remarks by insisting a bright future lay ahead for Scottish rugby, said: "Without a doubt there should be a role for Alan. What a phenomenal knowledge he has. We have got to look after the pearls we have.
"Taity was great, a very, very good player and particularly when he came back from Rugby League."
Referring to how Scotland won the concluding Five Nations Championship in 1999 Baird said: "Playing alongside Gregor Townsend and lying flat up in the opposition faces they were just a lethal combination. Alan was a hit man who had a great strike rate."
Baird was already an established internationalist when Tait came on to the scene at Kelso and the 1984 Grand Slam winger recalled: "Alan saw rugby as a career path. Having played both codes he took a lot of notes particularly in the pro game (league] where he learned from some of the greats."
While recognising the qualities Tait brought to Scotland Baird was adamant there is a huge amount of talent capable of turning fortunes around.
"The strength in depth in some positions is fantastic," said Baird before admitting that a shake-up was necessary in some respects.
"We've got to be a bit more adventurous," he said.
The full article contains 386 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
