Gregor Townsend declines British and Irish Lions offer

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend has declined to be part of the British and Irish Lions coaching panel for the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

The decision from Townsend comes after the Lions tour will be clashing with Scotland's tour of Australia next year.

The 43-year-old is set to take over from Vern Cotter in June next year as the head coach of Scotland and he did not want to miss his first chance of working with the team in the tour of Australia.

Townsend told Scottish Rugby Union website that even though being a part of the Lions is a honour, his commitment to Glasgow Warriors now and Scotland later will be the top priority for him.

"It's a case of timing. I feel hugely privileged to be given the Scotland job and our first opportunity to work with the players is at the same time as the Lions tour.

"I was approached a couple of weeks ago - and I was obviously flattered - but my priority now is Glasgow and at the end of the season Scotland are going on tour, so that's the priority then.

"I had a good think and didn't give an immediate answer. I really wanted to reflect on what was involved but I quickly realised that the Scotland tour to Australia is my number one priority at the end of this season.

"At international level you don't get that much access with the players. This is the most access you'll get with them. On a tour you get to work with them, preparing them and spending time with them, so that's the biggest factor."