Cotter is left ‘disappointed’ by SRU axe
Vern Cotter has expressed disappointment that his time as Scotland coach will go no further than the end of this season.
Speaking to the media for the first time since it was announced in August that his contract would not be renewed and Glasgow Warriors coach Gregor Townsend would take the reins of the national team in June, the New Zealander indicated that it was not his decision to leave and that he will go with unfinished “objectives”.
“Holistically I understand [the decision],” said Cotter at Heriot-watt’s Oriam high performance centre in Edinburgh after naming a 31-man squad for next month’s autumn Tests. “As a competitor you’re always disappointed if you want to go places and have objectives in mind. That’s natural but it’s done, we just move on now.
“The decision was made to put Gregor in place and I think it’s a good decision. The executives made that decision and I respect it. The deal is the deal now, so we just get on with the job and get on with these last eight games.”
Cotter will lead Scotland in the November Tests against Australia, Argentina and Georgia and next year’s Six Nations before returning to France, where he spent a large chunk of
his playing and coaching career, in a lucrative move to Montpellier.
“There will be some emotions but if you look at the big picture it’s not about me, it’s about Scottish rugby,” said Cotter when asked how he viewed what is now the final months of his reign.
“Later on I might sit back and reflect on things but right now I’m completely focused on the games in front of me. I enjoy seeing players develop and getting better. I enjoy
seeing them perform well. So seeing them improve in the last eight games before we break up is what I’m looking to achieve.
“Gregor [Townsend, pictured] has done really well for Glasgow. The performances and his management are top shelf. He will do a great job and in a couple of years’ time when I’m watching the team I’m sure they will be doing well.”
The main talking point of Cotter’s squad was the absence of WP Nel, the firstchoice Edinburgh tighthead prop, who aggravated a neck problem in his side’s win over Harlequins on Saturday. Rory Sutherland also misses out with a groin injury but their loosehead club-mate Alasdair Dickinson, who has been out injured, returns to the squad along with the uncapped Allan Dell.
Hamish Watson is rewarded for his excellent Edinburgh form but there is no place for South Africaborn back-rower Cornell du Preez, who is now Scottish qualified but has had limited game time this term. Gloucester’s Matt Scott misses out at centre, with Saracens’ Duncan Taylor included in the midfield group. Cotter disagrees strongly with any notion that progress made under his stewardship – which has seen an improved Six Nations thisyearonthebackofa Rugby World Cup quarterfinal appearance – will drop off as his tenure enters a ‘lame duck’ phase. “I don’t think so,” said the 54-year-old. “Scottish rugby has existed for a long time and will still exist after we’re gone. We’re just going to try and do our best for it in this period of time when we’ve been given that opportunity. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be involved and I’m going to make the most of it. It will continue to grow all the way through – I think it’s exciting times for Scottish rugby.
“The most important thing is we keep improving. These three Tests are hugely important if we want to do well in the Six Nations – if we want to do better than we did last year.”