New era in Scottish rugby begins as Vern Cotter takes the reins on tour

Vern Cotter has begun a new era with the Scotland rugby team as he prepares to take charge of his first match as head coach.

The New Zealander was named as Scott Johnson’s replacement 12 months ago but had to see out his contract with French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne before officially taking over the role.

Cotter took training with his Dark Blues squad at Rice University in Texas ahead of Saturday’s test match against the USA and will be scrutinising the side as the countdown to the 2015 World Cup begins.

The 52-year-old has 16 games to turn around Scotland’s fortunes and his defence coach, Matt Taylor, has warned that every fixture is vital to formulate a plan and a line-up to improve the nation’s fortunes.

Taylor said: “There are a couple of guys who have not been capped on this tour – the likes of Finn Russell from Glasgow, who has popped his head up in the last six months.

“If he has good tour I’m sure he will be in contention to be a fly-half, maybe even the starting fly-half, at the World Cup depending on how he goes at this level.

“The new guys have to put their hand up. We have 16 tests before the World Cup, so every one is important.

“Vern will be scrutinising every player and I would have thought that by the Six Nations he will have in his head who is going to be the likely top 23.”

Scotland’s summer tour gets under way against the United States on Saturday evening local time in Houston.

Even though the home side, who will be in Scotland’s World Cup pool next year, are ranked eight places below them at 18, Taylor – who played for a season in the city when he was in his early 20s – is warning his players not to expect an easy ride.

Ireland could only claim a narrow 15-12 victory over the United States at the same stadium last year, with the heat and humidity posing particular problems for the Europeans, who are more used to playing in snow and mud.

“The Americans are a very physical bunch. They are big guys and usually enjoy the strength and conditioning part of it,” Taylor said.

“They ran Ireland close at their home park so it is going to be a tough game, especially with the heat.

“Last year when we played our first tour game against Samoa, I think the heat took a bit of sting out of our players.

“Whether we talk about that or just do our best mentally to embrace that, we have to be smart about it.”

However, Taylor acknowledges it is not just the players who need to impress Cotter, as the coaching staff will also come under scrutiny.

“I would not say I am nervous, I am looking forward to it,” said the defence coach. “He is everybody’s boss so I suppose everybody is looking to impress.

“I have had a few chats with him and he seemed to be happy and impressed with my work when he was over for a week earlier in the season.

“You want to do as well as you can to impress your boss and I am looking forward to working with him. He has had a lot of success – he was at the Crusaders before Clermont Auvergne and did some great work at both.

“I have learned a lot of different things from all the coaches I have worked with, that is why I like working with new people. You improve yourself.”

Related articles

• Finn Russell thought call up to Scotland squad was a practical joke


• Vern Cotter names 43-man Scotland squad ahead of first summer tour

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New era in Scottish rugby begins as Vern Cotter takes the reins on tour