Carolan to lead Scotland A

Part of the club’s backroom team since arriving from Connacht in 2021, Carolan – who oversees the club’s attack – has worked closely with Head Coach Franco Smith to develop the signature brand of Glasgow Warriors rugby, playing a key role in helping the club lift the BKT United Rugby Championship title in 2023/24.

All roads lead to Hampden 💪

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A creative centre during his playing career, Carolan worked under Warren Gatland during the 2021 British and Irish Lions Head Coach’s spell in charge at the Sportsground in the late 1990s.

Carolan will be joined on the coaching team by fellow Glasgow Warriors Assistant Coach, Scott Forrest, with the former Scotland 7s stalwart having joined the club’s coaching team on a full-time basis ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Tasked with looking after the Glasgow defence, Forrest has also enjoyed experience as Scotland U20 Assistant Coach and former Head Coach of both Scotland and Great Britain’s Women’s 7s squads.

Edinburgh Rugby Assistant Coach Stevie Lawrie completes the coaching ticket, having also been involved with Scotland A last season.

Speaking following the announcement, Carolan said: “It’s a great honour for me to lead Scotland A at the start of next year.

“Having been here for four years coaching some of the best players in the country, to be Head Coach of the Scotland A team is a privilege and something I’ll cherish.

“The match will be beneficial for all involved, giving players the opportunity to play a competitive match against what will be a strong Italy side.

“It’s great to have both Stevie (Lawrie) and Scott (Forrest) alongside me in the coaching team. Stevie is well established with Edinburgh and has done a great job with their forwards. He also has good experience with Scotland A having been in the coaching set-up last year.

“Having worked with Scott for the last six months, I’ve seen first-hand how professional and detailed he is. He’s doing really well with the defence at Glasgow and I look forward to seeing that transferred to Scotland A.

“We will travel to Rome with the men’s team and that will give our players good exposure to the international set-up as Gregor [Townsend’s]’s team prepare for a huge game to open their Six Nations.”