Montpellier (AFP)
Former France XV coach Philippe Saint-André is set to join Montpellier in the coming days as director of rugby, announced President Mohed Altrad in a video published by the local weekly L'Agglorieuse.
"Next month, (Philippe) Saint-André will arrive. And we will continue our progress," said the boss of MHR.
Philippe Saint-André, 52, will replace the New Zealander Vern Cotter, eager to return to his native country after three seasons in Montpellier.
With the arrival of Saint-André, the MHR continues to renew its technical staff. On January 7, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, former assistant to former national coach Jacques Brunel, joined the club to assist coach Xavier Garbajosa in the defense sector.
"PSA", boss of the Blues from 2011 to 2015, will find a role in the world of rugby, more than four years after a disappointing term as head of the XV of France, ended on a crushing defeat against the All Blacks (62- 13) in the quarterfinal of the World Cup in England.
Since this disillusionment, the Drômois has spent his time in a consulting role on the RMC antenna. He also intervened sporadically with the selections of Cameroon or Canada.
The former Clermont international winger (69 caps), one of the first French players to expatriate across the Channel, led Gloucester (1998-2002) and Sale (2005-09), where he won two titles, before to take charge of Toulon (2009-11) which he put back on the rails of success.
Saint-André had established ties with Mohed Altrad during the abortive Gloucester takeover attempt.
Montpellier occupies sixth place in the Top 14 before traveling to La Rochelle on Saturday for the 14th day.
© 2020 AFP