Former Scotland coach Cotter to quit Montpellier for top job with Fiji
Former Scotland coach Vern Cotter has been named as the new head coach of Fiji.
New Zealand-born Cotter succeeds Australian John Mckee, who has been in charge since 2014.
Cotter coached French club Clermont to the Top 14 title in 2010 after leading them to the final in three previous seasons. He has been with Montpellier
since 2017, guiding them to the Top 14 final in 2018 but was moved into a director of rugby role this season. His contract at Montpellier ends in June and Fiji’s first Test of the season against Tonga is on 4 July.
Cotter had a 53 per cent success rate in his four years as Scotland coach, winning 19 of his 36 matches. It was the best record of any Scotland national coach since Ian Mcgeechan left the role in 1993 and included home wins over Wales and
Ireland in the 2016 Six Nations.
He took Scotland to the brink of the 2015 World Cup semifinals, losing a thrilling quarter-final 35-34 to Australia.
Cotter, who has been signed to a three-year contract, said: “I’m excited about the opportunity to coach the Flying Fijians and to be involved in the development of Rugby in Fiji,” he said in a statement.
Cotter has a strong knowledge of Fiji’s top players, having coached Nemani Nadolo,
Nemani Nagusa, Napolioni Nalaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu during his time in France.
“Fiji Rugby has come a long way in the last few years and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the talent within the national teams and enhance the competitiveness of Fiji on the world stage,” he said.
Fiji had a disappointing World Cup in Japan last year, winning one pool match and losing to Uruguay.