Ex-IRFU chief David Nucifora confirms new role with Scottish rugby

The Scottish Rugby Union has confirmed the appointment of former Irish Rugby performance director David Nucifora in a new advisory role.

The Australian, who stepped down as the IRFU's performance chief this summer following a successful ten-year spell, is being tasked with strengthening the development structures for young players in the Scottish game, while he will also be involved in the appointment of the next permanent performance director at the SRU.

Nucifora has agreed a two-year deal with the SRU, which is set to begin before the end of 2024.

The former Brumbies coach had previously agreed to work with Rugby Australia as a consultant, although it’s been reported that will be a short-lived arrangement, with Nucifora set to work exclusively with Scotland from November.

"I’m really looking forward to joining the team at Scottish Rugby," Nucifora said.

"I’m well aware of the ambition Scotland has as a rugby nation and the desire to nurture talent to ensure we can compete at the highest level over the long term. To ensure this ambition can be realised we will design and implement a structure which supports high performance outcomes."

Nucifora’s remit will be to improve Scotland’s development structures in both the men’s and women’s game, as they look to respond to their worrying decline at men’s U20 level in particular.

Scotland have finished bottom of the U20 Six Nations in three of the last four seasons, and have just one win in the competition in their last 20 games, while they have had to play in the second-tier World Rugby U20 Trophy in both 2023 and 2024 after being relegated from the top-tier championship.

During Nucifora’s tenure, Ireland’s U20 side enjoyed considerable success, winning three Grand Slams and reaching