Vern Cotter to have total control over coaching

NEW Scotland rugby coach Vern Cotter will have sole charge of the national side when he takes over in June and it will be his decision as to whether his predecessor, Scott Johnson, will have a part to play in the new coaching set-up.

Vern Cotter

Johnson is stepping down as head coach to concentrate on his role as director of rugby, but there have been suggestions he would remain part of the coaching team.

Mark Dodson, the SRU chief executive, made it clear yesterday that it would be up to Cotter.

“Vern Cotter will have complete control over all aspects of the national squad,” Dodson said. “But obviously there are areas where the two men will have to work very closely together. However, Scott will only work with the Scotland national squad as backs or attack coach if Vern wants him to. Vern has complete control of the rugby affairs of the Scotland national squad and he will report to me directly, not to Scott Johnson.”

Dodson also said he would be willing to talk to Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, about setting up a third professional team in Aberdeen, but warned that such a venture would cost £6-7 million a year to run.