Vern Cotter set to join Montpellier next season

Montpellier announced that Scotland head coach Vern Cotter will join the Top 14 club next season.

The former number eight's contract with the Scottish Rugby Union will end in June and will be replaced by the current Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend.

The 54-year-old already has rich experience of working in Top 14 as he coached Clermont Auvergne to a title win in the 2009/10 season. He will now replace 2007 World Cup winning former Springboks coach Jake White after his contract with Montpellier ending in June.

A statement released by the Top 14 club confirmed Cotter's appointment.

"The arrival of Vern Cotter for the 2017/2018 season, should help, too, to write a new chapter in the history of MHR (Montpellier) and continue to grow," said the statement.

Scotland will be taking on Australia, Argentina and Georgia during their autumn internationals which will be followed by Six Nations clashes against Ireland, Wales and Italy.