Gregor Townsend has been named as the new Scotland head coach.
The news comes following a scandal that saw predecessor Vern Cotter facing allegations of animal cruelty.
The Scottish Rugby Union has announced that the Glasgow head coach will take over in June 2017, when Cotter’s contract expires.
Scottish rugby had been rocked by scandal when Cotter was accused of making players kill rabbits with their bare hands during training exercises.
The revelations, coming from a podcast interview with former squad member Jim Hamilton, have since been retracted but a dark cloud remained over Cotter’s premiership.
Gregor Townsend, who has been Head Coach at Guinness PRO12 side Glasgow Warriors since 2012, led his team to play-offs in every season, culminating with his team becoming the first Scottish professional side to win the league title in 2015.
Acknowledged as one of the most respected coaches in the northern hemisphere Townsend has regularly attracted interest from teams across Europe and the southern hemisphere in recent seasons leading Scottish Rugby to move to secure his services through to 2020 as Scotland Head Coach.
Vern Cotter started as Scotland Head Coach in the summer of 2014, starting with a summer tour which saw wins over USA, Canada and Argentina. His appointment came after eight years leading ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 league.
Under his leadership the team won the Top 14 Championship in 2010 and held a 77 game unbeaten home record between 2009-2013. Having ended his playing career in France in 1999 Cotter returned to his native New Zealand to coach Bay of Plenty in the NPC.
He then joined Super 12 side Crusaders as forwards coach between 2004-2006 where they won back to back Super Rugby titles before returning to France with Clermont.
Scottish Rugby 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.
“I have been charged with developing Scottish coaches and believe the time is now right to secure Gregor’s talents, as we build towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.”
Scottish Rugby is now undergoing a recruitment process to find a replacement for Townsend at Glasgow Warriors for the 2017/18 season.
Speaking on his appointment Gregor Townsend 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.”
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.”
