Scots look good so why is Cotter on the way out?
SCOTLAND’s 27-22 win over Ireland was one of the most significant results of the Six Nations since its inception 17 years ago – and not just because it was only their second openinground win in that period. It announced that Scotland are back as a truly competitive force after years in the wilderness.
While their controversial defeat by Australia in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals demonstrated evidence of a revival under Vern Cotter’s guidance, the victory over the Irish at Murrayfield last weekend was the first firm evidence that it has taken root.
That puts Scotland, who had slipped into the Six Nations basement alongside Italy as the weakest side in the tournament since it was expanded from Five to Six Nations, in new and unfamiliar territory.
The quality and drive the Scots brought to the see-saw contest against the Irish meant that the recent conquerors of the All Blacks could not find a way to win, despite dominating 70 percent of the possession in the second-half.
The tenacity and voracious work-rate of the Scottish defence, allied to the counter-attacking of a back three in which Stuart Hogg was lethal, means that even if they finish on the wrong side of the ledger against France in Paris today, Scotland will be a serious threat in this tournament.
They play Wales in a fortnight in Edinburgh, and England a week later, with both opponents forewarned that even if they do kick up a storm – as Ireland did – Scotland have the strike power, with the likes of Finn Russell, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour and Hogg, to cut through it. The message from the three tries against Ireland – two of them virtuoso Hogg finishes – was that Scotland no longer stall when it comes to putting away their chances.
Leading into the France match, Cotter, who has been head coach since supplanting caretaker Scott Johnson in 2013, found himself in strange territory. The New Zealander is held in high regard as a coach not just in Scotland, but throughout rugby’s heartlands.
However, just at the time when Scotland have the dream ticket of a seasoned coach – who has put them back on track – being joined by the homegrown Gregor Townsend, one of the brightest young coaches in Europe, Cotter has been shown the door.
Initially, Cotter did not take kindly to the news last summer that he had been blindsided by Scotland’s chief executive, Mark Dodson, and his Australian line boss, Johnson, with his contract terminated in June 2017, and Glasgow coach Townsend appointed in his stead.
This is understandable given that the victory over Ireland put Cotter’s record with Scotland at won 17, lost 15, giving him a win ratio of 53 per cent. That puts him second only to Ian McGeechan as the most successful Scotland coach since they first appointed one in 1970, with McGeechan managing a 58 percent win ratio in his first, and most successful, stint as national coach from 19881993. It also puts him well ahead of Johnson, whose record as interim coach from 2012-2014 before Cotter took over, was won 5, lost 11, for a 31 per cent win ratio. That Johnson was elevated to the role of SRU director of rugby after that less than glowing record as coach, and as assistant (backs) coach to Andy Robinson before that, was viewed with scepticism by many within Scottish rugby. Before the last World Cup the former Scotland flanker, Iain Morrison, said that the SRU would be better off without Johnson, who is believed to command an annual salary of c. £250,000. He was unimpressed by plans to cut costs around Scotland’s Sevens team while Johnson was still allowed to draw down a full salary. Morrison said: “I just don’t see the point of Scott Johnson. I think there are good people at Murrayfield, and they could do Scott Johnson’s job without him around.” During his tenure in a role in which he presides over Scotland’s player and coach contracts at professional and academy level, interfacing with Pro12 franchises Glasgow and Edinburgh, Johnson has not been so much below the parapet as ten feet under it. Requests for interviews have been continually turned down over the last three years. Cotter’s departure was also precipitated by Dodson, who not only signed off on Johnson’s promotion but has also championed Townsend’s rapid rise to become Scotland coach. While Townsend success with Glasgow has marked him out as an impressive coaching talent, with a Pro12 title in 2015, and a European Cup quarter-final berth this season after they did a home and away wrecking job on Leicester, his initial appointment was controversial.
This was because his predecessor, Sean Lineen, was considered to be making a good fist of it with Glasgow – in the same way that Cotter has done with Scotland.
The word is that when Townsend let it be known to Dodson that if the Scotland door was closed he would leave Glasgow this summer, probably for a lucrative coaching position in the French Top 14, the SRU chief executive felt compelled to keep the former Scotland and Lions fly-half in the fold.
It soon became clear that if the SRU wanted to keep a prospect as hot as Townsend on their books then, financially, something was going to have to give. The sums only added up if either Cotter, or Johnson, was shown the door.
It appears that Dodson did not find the prospect of a dream coaching team of Cotter and Townsend a compelling enough reason to dispense with his well-embedded director of rugby. The upshot is Cotter’s departure, although his reputation ensured he was snapped up almost immediately by Montpellier.
That Townsend will be left to learn the slippery ropes of international coaching without the guidance and support of Cotter seems like a huge missed opportunity to those with the best interests of a resurgent Scotland team at heart.
A two or three year crossover period would have been ideal, especially with a forwards coach as experienced as Cotter on hand to develop the impressive potential of the Scottish pack, and to provide Townsend with the quality ball for Scotland to take the ‘total rugby’ he has embarked on at Glasgow to a new level.
However, Townsend will have a handy ally and sounding board when another Kiwi, (Waikato) Chiefs coach David Rennie, takes over at Glasgow next season. Townsend’s links with New Zealand rugby are strong, through his friendship with another Chiefs and All Blacks stalwart, Wayne Smith.
Smith coached Townsend during his time at Northampton, and the Scot spent a few months with Smith and Rennie at the Chiefs before taking over at Glasgow. That experience has helped him to forge Glasgow into a formidable outfit, and it has also given the Cotter the spine of his Scotland side, through tight-head Zander Fagerson, hooker Fraser Brown, lock Jonny Gray, fly-half Russell, inside-centre Alex Dunbar, and full-back Hogg.
At 21, Fagerson is already a Lions bolter, and while he might be second in the queue to Tadgh Furlong he lasted the full 80 minutes where the Irish tight-head was subbed in the final quarter.
What impressed most about Fagerson, alongside his mobility, tackle count and handling, was the way he adapted after Allan Dell’s difficulties at loose-head against Furlong sent early shockwaves through a retreating Scottish scrum. Yet, the longer the game went on, the more Fagerson nullified Jack McGrath and shored-up the Scottish put-in.
The arrival of Brown at boker has also been a bonus because he brings a dynamism that has forced former captain, Ross Ford to raise his game to stay in th squad. It was no accident tha when Ford came off the benc when his rival suffered an ey injury against the Irish, he put in a 50 minute stint which was among his best at Test level.
Of all Cotter’s workaholic. The one who stood head and shouders above the rest was Gray. The young second row’s extra-ordinary 28-tackle contribution was seminal to Scotland’s winning start and it is the sort of statistic that will instantly grab the attention of Lions coach Warren Gatland it has put Gray near the top of an ultra-competitive lock selection list.
anothermaking Openside16 making tackles Hamish waves.last Watsons weekendAs well as before he went off nine minutes into the second half, he foraged carried and supported like a man possessed, and could be capable of spiking the guns of French NO. 7 Kevin Gourdon.
However, the composure of the French backline is bound toe tested at the Stade de France as long as Russell, line-out ace Dunbar, and Hogg continue to show the same determination in defence that they have going for the opposition line, then the Scots will be at the races.
Cotter’s assessment after beating Ireland was to the point: The players are finding ways to win games… that’ll create a real positive dynamic going forward.
The irony is that Cotter will not be there to share it – even thought his record says he should be.