Vern Cotter Set To Step Down As Scotland Head Coach

Gregor Townsend is to replace Vern Cotter as Scotland head coach in June 2017, Scottish Rugby has announced.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Townsend, 43, previously worked with Scotland as part of Andy Robinson’s backroom staff. The former Scotland fly-half, who won 82 caps, plus two for the Lions, led Warriors to the Pro12 title in 2015.

New Zealander Cotter, 54, has been in charge of the Scots since 2014 and led them to the World Cup quarter-finals last year.

“I am incredibly proud to take on the Scotland head coach role at the end of the season,” said Townsend.

“It is a real honour to be given the responsibility of coaching the national team and I look forward to working with such an impressive group of players.

“I’d like to thank Scottish Rugby for this opportunity and also the supporters, players and staff at Glasgow Warriors for their support over the past four years.

“My focus is firmly on the season ahead with Glasgow and I will be doing all I can to help the club continue to progress this year.”

Cotter said he was “really pleased with the progress” Scotland had made over the past two years.

“Since taking up this role I believe we have moved forward as a group by working to execute the simple things well,” he said. “Developing skill-sets and mind-sets has been important to help perform on the international stage.

“The focus has been to respect tradition but also perform in the present, be adaptive and innovative. I have been really pleased with the progress that has been made in all areas.

“The players, and my management group, have enjoyed working hard to give the fans and Scottish Rugby results and performances to be proud of.

“I intend to remain focused on the upcoming autumn internationals and remaining Scotland matches in 2017.” [BBC]