Cotter to join Boks' World Cup pool rivals

NEWS: Former Scotland and Fiji coach Vern Cotter is to be a consultant for Romania during the upcoming World Cup, the national federation said on Monday.

The 61-year-old New Zealander is presently the head coach of Super Rugby outfit Blues having stepped down from the Fijian national post in February.

"I am glad to be part of Rugby Romania's World Cup adventure," Cotter said on the Romanian Federation's X account, formerly known as Twitter.

"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 guided Scotland to the 2015 World Cup quarterfinals where they lost controversially to eventual finalists Australia.

Romania, though, face an almighty challenge to reach a similar stage.

They have been drawn in Pool B along with defending champions South Africa, Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland, Tonga and Scotland.

They open their campaign against the Irish in Bordeaux on September 9.