Fukofuka departs Scotland Women head coach role — SkimNews
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- Sione Fukofuka departed as Scotland Women head coach after eight months in the role for personal reasons
- Under Fukofuka, Scotland finished fifth in the Women's Six Nations with their only win coming against Wales
- Forwards coach Dave Butcher will take interim charge ahead of the WXV Global Series beginning September 13
- Fukofuka said the 'stress and strain' on his family in Australia proved too much and his wife's parents falling ill made the planned 12-month relocation infeasible, calling it 'probably the hardest professional decision of my life'
- Performance director David Nucifora said Scottish Rugby 'fully respect and understand' the decision while thanking Fukofuka for his 'passion and commitment' to the women's programme
Why it matters: Scotland Women now face a coaching gap weeks before the WXV Global Series starts September 13, with forwards coach Dave Butcher stepping in on an interim basis while Scottish Rugby pursues long-term recruitment. Fukofuka's exit — driven by his wife's unwell parents in Australia rendering the planned 12-month relocation impossible — lays bare the tension between international coaching contracts and hemispheric family commitments.
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