HARD HIT TING VIEW

VERN COTTER will be wondering how to fill his time before he and his family head to the south of France where he’ll take up the role of coach at Montpellier.

Meanwhile, the overwhelming feeling across Scotland and beyond is – why on earth have the SRU let him go?

The ovation the quietly-spoken New Zealander received at the end of Scotland’s match against Italy provoked an uncharacteristically emotional response.

He was seen wiping away a tear or two as the genuine affection from the Scottish rugby crowd touched him.

It really is very sad to see this man, who has transformed the Scottish side in a very short space of time, leave his job partially done.

Another World Cup campaign is no less than Cotter, and Scottish rugby, deserved.

His turnaround in the fortunes of the Scottish team have been dramatic.

There have been few new players introduced to the group and even when injuries have hindered selection, youngsters have stepped up and embraced Cotter’s vision of how Scotland should be playing rugby.

The Kiwi has reconnected these players with the DNA of Scottish rugby and in doing this, their fortunes have transformed.

In many respects, Cotter’s success has made Gregor Townsend’s job even more challenging.