The Scottish Rugby Union will interview up to eight candidates for the Scotland head coach job after over 30 applicants from all over the world applied for the post.
The SRU has only confirmed two candidates – bookies’ favourite Andy Robinson and Scotland forwards coach Mike Brewer.
A five man interview panel has been set up and SRU chief executive Gordon McKie has confirmed between six and eight applicants “had the potential to go forward to the next stage.”
McKie will be joined on the panel by SRU chairman Alan Munro and former Scottish captains Andy Irvine, Andy Nicol and Gordon Bulloch.
McKie told BBC's Rugby Sportsound: "We were keen to get a strong rugby bias on to the panel.
"We don't want the 'suits' to make the appointment. We want the people who know rugby to assist us.
"It's a critically important appointment. We've got to get this right. The process will be very thorough.
"We will also be taking soundings from other people in the game - not yet named - and we are also delighted to secure the assistance of the Scottish Institute of Sport.
"We've got a very good list of home and overseas candidates and, contrary to rumour, some of them are of a very high pedigree and we're delighted with the response."