GLASGOW Warriors’ search for a new coach has already begun after it was announced that Gregor Townsend will leave at the end of the coming season to take over Scotland.

Scottish Rugby announced yesterday that Townsend will move to Murrayfield to take over from Vern Cotter as national head coach in June 2017. Both men are under contract in their present roles until then.

“I am incredibly proud to take on the Scotland head coach role at the end of the season,” Townsend said yesterday. “It is a real honour to be given the responsibility of coaching the national team and I look forward to working with such an impressive group of players.

"I'd like to thank Scottish Rugby for this opportunity and also the supporters, players and staff at Glasgow Warriors for their support over the past four years. My focus is firmly on the season ahead with Glasgow and I will be doing all I can to help the club continue to progress this year.”

Townsend has been in charge of the Warriors since 2012, when he ended a three-year spell as Scotland assistant coach. He has taken the team to the PRO12 play-offs every year, winning the title in 2015. Last year the Warriors’ defence of the championship ended at the semi-final stage when they lost to eventual winners Connacht.

SRU chief executive Mark Dodson said: "Gregor's abilities as a head coach are evident and he is increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after coaches in the game. I have been charged with developing Scottish coaches and believe the time is now right to secure Gregor's talents, as we build towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

"Vern Cotter has made a considerable impact on the development of the Scotland national side during his tenure. His rugby philosophy of setting high standards with a big emphasis on skill development has had a positive effect throughout Scottish rugby. We will continue to work with Vern in the season ahead as we are both determined to have a successful autumn test series and 2017 RBS 6 Nations.”

Scottish Rugby began the plan for Townsend to succeed Cotter some time ago, and have also been thinking about who should take over at Scotstoun. The coaching team there includes the experienced Matt Taylor, who is also a Scotland assistant coach, and Mike Blair, who has just begun his full-time coaching career after joining the Warriors as a player/coach.