Dave Rennie to succeed Gregor Townsend as Glasgow Warriors head coach

Glasgow Warriors have named Dave Rennie as the successor to head coach Gregor Townsend.

The New Zealander signs on a two-year deal and will step-in for Townsend when he becomes Scotland's national head coach in June 2017.

Since taking over Super Rugby side Chiefs in 2012, Rennie has won two domestic BNZ cups in addition to a Super Rugby title in 2013.

But the 52-year-old says he is now ready for a new challenge.

"I am delighted to be appointed to the head coach role at Glasgow Warriors. The opportunity to work with such an exciting group of players at a club that has such big ambitions and a great winning culture was one I couldn't turn down," said Rennie in an interview with Scottish Rugby.

"It's no secret I have been interested in coaching abroad and this chance with Scottish Rugby fitted the bill perfectly.

"As a coach you want to test yourself in new environments with new challenges. The work Gregor and his team have done at the Warriors speaks for itself and I am very motivated to continue that success and build the club."

Scottish Rugby chief executive, Mark Dodson is buoyed to get a manager of Rennie's calibre and is confident he can build on Townsend's success.

"It is a clear indication of the progress Scottish Rugby, and Glasgow Warriors, are making that we can attract a coach of Dave's experience to Scotland to work with our players.

"Gregor has developed a great winning culture at Glasgow Warriors and I'm very confident Dave will be able to build on that solid foundation to bring more success to the club. 

"We have a group of talented Scottish players at Glasgow and we want to maintain their progress and this appointment will expose them to fresh ideas and new approaches to the game.

"Dave's experience at the Chiefs and at New Zealand age-grade level can only help to develop them and the team further."