Gregor Townsend believes Scotland are in their strongest position of his eight-year tenure, and he does not think his new consultancy role with Red Bull will affect his performance.

Townsend's previous contract with Scotland was due to expire in April 2026, but last month, they gave him a new deal to run until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Since taking charge in 2017, Townsend has overseen 94 Tests, recording 53 wins, 40 defeats and one draw.

He also registered four consecutive Calcutta Cup triumphs over England between 2021 and 2024, while overseeing three victories over France – including one in Paris in 2021 – and four wins versus Australia.

Townsend failed to lead France out of the pool stage at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, but as Scotland build towards the 2027 competition, he believes they are in a good spot.

"With the level of collective experience, individual experience, ability, depth, what we've gone through – both good and bad – we're in the best position that we've been in, in the time that I've been here," Townsend told BBC Sport.

"When you look at other teams that have had success, there are a couple of common elements. One is player leadership, and we've now got some real leaders in our group. 

"The other one is cap numbers, so now we're getting into the top four or five in the world for caps in our team.

"We know we're up against some brilliant teams again, but I feel this team is in the best place ever, and I'm going to be a part of that for the next two years."

Scottish Rugby and Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend have agreed to extend his contract until the end of 2027, following the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

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Townsend has attracted criticism in recent weeks for accepting a new role as a consultant with Red Bull, who now own Premiership side Newcastle.

He is adamant there is no conflict of interest between his two jobs and even believes his 30 days of work with Red Bull per year could benefit Scotland. 

"If we have a poor autumn, a poor Six Nations, a poor summer tour, then they're going to criticise me as a head coach anyway and I don't think they need to say it is anything to do with Red Bull," he says.

"My time, my focus, my connection with the players will be the same as it was before. The intention is to have as good an autumn as possible.

"Me being with Red Bull in the next couple of weeks and going to Austria to look at how they set up their facilities and academies isn't going to get us over the line against the All Blacks [in an Autumn international on November 8], but it could add an extra layer to our experiences."

Townsend will soon travel to Austria to link up with key figures at Red Bull, and he is hoping to meet with their head of global soccer, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

"My official start date was October 1. I'm going out to Austria on Sunday to see what they've got in their training facilities," Townsend said.

"I'm hoping to spend some time with the Formula One team and meet Jurgen Klopp and people like that."