Former Fiji coach Vern Cotter is going to Rugby World Cup after all
Vern Cotter coaching the Barbarians.
Former Scotland and Fiji boss Vern Cotter will be coaching at the Rugby World Cup after all.
The 61-year-old has joined Romania’s coaching staff as a consultant for the upcoming World Cup, the national federation confirmed on Monday.
Cotter joins Romania’s World Cup preparations
Cotter resigned as Fiji’s head coach at the start of the year and was replaced by Simon Raiwalui ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup.
The New Zealander will take over as head coach of Super Rugby Pacific side, the Blues, next year.
“I am glad to be part of Rugby Romania’s World Cup adventure,” Cotter said on the Romanian Federation’s X account.
“I have been overseeing their preparation since this year’s Rugby Europe Championship, and I will be involved as an advisor for the RWC, hoping the Oaks will evolve, play some good games and exceed everyone’s expectations.”
Cotter’s coaching CV
His impressive coaching CV includes a stint as the Crusaders‘ forwards coach for two seasons.
He left New Zealand to join the Top 14 outfit, Clermont in 2006.
During his time at the club, Clermont reached four Top 14 finals, winning one and the Champions Cup in the 2006/07 and 2012/13 seasons.
He left Clermont to take up the head coach role with Scotland and led the side into the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Scotland went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, where Australia beat them.
He returned to France in 2017 when he took charge of Montpellier, where he stayed for two seasons before joining Fiji.
Romania’s Rugby World Cup
Cotter will help Romania navigate a challenging World Cup pool stage.
Romania was drawn in Pool B for the tournament, where they are set to face defending champions South Africa, world number one Ireland, Tonga and Scotland.
The Oaks qualified for the Rugby World Cup 2023 after Spain were handed a 10-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player during two qualifying matches.
Romania open their campaign against Ireland in Bordeaux on September 9.
READ MORE: All the 2023 Rugby World Cup squads and team updates
