Cotter the new Scotland rugby coach

Scottish Rugby on Monday announced that successful New Zealander Vern Cotter is to take over from Australian Scott Johnson as national team head coach.

The 51-year-old is currently coaching French Top 14 giants Clermont.

On Sunday he said he would leave Clermont at the end of next season when his contract is up and now Scotland have said he will join them.

Scottish Rugby’s chief executive, Mark Dodson, said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of a coach of Vern’s pedigree for the Scotland team.

“Vern is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in the world and to have secured someone of his calibre is a coup for Scotland.

“He was our first choice as head coach and we are pleased to have secured him on a two-year contract taking us up to and beyond the Rugby World Cup 2015.

“We compiled a short-list of world-class candidates last December and Vern was top of that list.”

The SRU said they had come to an agreement with Cotter several months ago but delayed the announcement out of respect for his current employers.

He is due to take over the reins from June 2014 for Scotland’s summer tour.

Johnson has agreed to take on a duel role until Cotter’s arrival, having already said he was moving upstairs into a director of rugby position.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been appointed to the role of Scotland head coach,” said Cotter.

“I very much look forward to joining Scotland and until I do permanently I will be on hand to support Scott and the coaches with any advice and support they need.”

Cotter comes with a great pedigree having led Clermont to the Top 14 title in 2010 and been part of the Canterbury Crusaders coaching set up in their back to back Super rugby successes in 2005 and 2006.

“I believe this is a real coup for Scottish Rugby. Vern Cotter is a top rugby coach who is amongst the most highly-regarded coaches in the world,” said Johnson.

“Until Vern arrives I will continue to lead Scotland as head coach and continue my duties as director of rugby.”

The one blot on Cotter’s record is his failure to land more trophies, in particular the European Cup, with the Michelin-backed French side, whom he joined in 2006.

Clermont were overwhelming favourites this season to do the double of European Cup and Top 14 after finishing top of the French regular season and being in the top two seeds after the European Cup group phase.

But they faltered in the European Cup final, losing to Toulon 16-15 despite having led 15-6 at one stage.

And a week later they crumbled in the Top 14 semi-finals, losing 25-9 to Castres.

Cotter the new Scotland rugby coach