Wilson to take Warriors’ reins early as Rennie to exit next month
● Process brought forward as club plan for potential return to action in play-offs
Danny Wilson will take over from Dave Rennie as Glasgow Warriors head coach at the start of June, a month ahead of planned.
The current Scotland forwards coach was due to take on the role at the start of July as Rennie leaves to become head coach of Australia but a statement from Glasgow Warriors said that transition had been moved forward “to allow both coaches to give their undivided attention to their new roles and be ready for when rugby returns”.
Glasgow Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys said: “We’ve agreed that this is the right time for Danny Wilson to formally begin his role as head coach of Glasgow Warriors.”
It brings to an end Rennie’s three-year reign at Scotstoun, in which he led the Warriors to a semi-final of the Guinness Pro14 in his first season and a final defeat by Leinster at Celtic Park last year.
Wilson will now take charge of the club at the start of next month with hopes that the suspended Pro14 season could be finished off at some point in late August to early September.
As things stood at the moment the competition was suspended due to the pandemic, Glasgow were sitting third in Conference A which could see them involved in a play-off format.
Bombrys added: “The original plan was for Danny to come in after the Guinness Six Nations and shadow Dave and his coaching team for the rest of this campaign.
“We appreciate Dave’s willingness to be open and supportive, as this would have given Danny an excellent head start on next season.
“However, given that the 2019-20 season remains suspended for the foreseeable future, we felt that the best thing for the club would be to let Danny get started.
“With sport in Australia planning to return soon, making the change now will also allow Dave to begin his new role as head coach of the Australian national team.
“We are grateful to Dave for everything he has done for our club over the past three seasons, and particularly for how he has been supportive of the current situation, as well as his willingness to share his vast coaching knowledge with all of our coaches.
“When Dave and [wife] Stephanie are able to safely make the journey home, they will leave with the best wishes of everyone at Glasgow Warriors.
“Should we get the opportunity to conclude the 2019-20 season, we will do so under the guidance Wilson.
“Danny has already been hard at work planning the squad and preparing for the new season, under highly unusual circumstances, and
of Danny we are all looking forward to working with him over the coming seasons.”
Wilson said: “My sincere thanks go to Dave for providing me with an extensive handover that has allowed for this early transition.
“Dave, his staff and players have done a great job, leading the squad to the 2018-19 Guinness Pro14 final, and leaves a solid platform to develop this squad from for the future.
“We’re now looking forward to getting back to rugby and starting training as soon as is safe to do so.”
Rennie added: “With no rugby to be played in the next few weeks, it makes sense for Danny to take charge now.
“The original plan was for Danny to immerse himself in the club after the Guinness Six Nations to assist with the transition but that obviously hasn’t been possible.
“I’ve been impressed with Danny. He has used the past couple of months well, spoken a lot to staff and players and is in a position to put his stamp on things. I know he’ll do a great job and he’s highly regarded by our Scottish internationals.”
SRU chief executive Mark Dodson said: “I’d like to thank Dave for the work and development he has put into Glasgow Warriors over the past three seasons.
“He has brought on a young, exciting group of players at Glasgow over that period, reached a Guinness Pro 14 final and led his coaching group at the club superbly. I’d like to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
“I’ve been impressed with Danny. He has used the past couple of months well, spoken to staff and players and is in a position to put his stamp on things. I know he’ll do a great job”