Gregor Townsend to replace Vern Cotter as Scotland coach
The Glasgow Warriors head coach will take over the post in June 2017 when his contract expires
Gregor Townsend has been named as Vern Cotter's successor as Scotland head coach.
The Scottish Rugby Union has announced that the Glasgow head coach will take over in June 2017, when Cotter's contract expires.
SRU chief executive Mark Dodson said: "Gregor's abilities as a head coach are evident and he is increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after coaches in the game.''
Townsend has impressed since taking charge of Glasgow in 2012, after a three-year stint as an assistant coach with the national team.
The 43-year-old has led Warriors to the Guinness Pro12 play-offs in each of his four seasons in charge and guided them to their first title in 2015, winning the play-offs after topping the table.
The 82-times capped international said: "I am incredibly proud to take on the Scotland head coach role at the end of the season.
"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.''
Scottish Rugby is now undergoing a recruitment process to find a replacement for Townsend at Glasgow Warriors for the 2017/18 season.
Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter said: “Since taking up this role I believe we have moved forward as a group by working to execute the simple things well. Developing skillsets and mindsets 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.”
Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson said: “Vern has worked hard to both enhance the skills of our existing Scotland internationals and bring a number of young players into the national team set up along the way.
"His attention to detail and focus on playing to Scotland’s strength has ensured we are a tough team to play against with a sharper attack and better defence.
“We now have an opportunity for this group of players to keep developing with Gregor with the added benefit that many of them will know his approach and have worked with him on a daily basis with Glasgow Warriors.
“That continuity, and the chance for a Scottish coach to also develop will, I believe, continue to improve Scotland’s rugby across the board.”