It has been announced that Vern Cotter will coach the Barbarians for the upcoming tour that will see the famous invitational side take on Ulster Rugby at Kingspan Stadium on Thursday 1st June. The Baabaas will also play England at Twickenham on Sunday 28th May.
The 55-year-old New Zealander is currently head coach of the Scottish national team, where he has overseen Six Nations championship wins over Ireland and Wales in recent weeks.
As a player Cotter spent ten years playing for Counties Manukau in New Zealand before another decade playing for several clubs in France.
At the turn of the century, Cotter returned to his native New Zealand to begin a coaching career with Bay of Plenty, where he would spend five seasons. In 2004 he joined up with Robbie Deans, who he succeeds as Barbarians coach, on the Crusaders coaching ticket. With Cotter as forwards coach the Crusaders would go on to win the Super 12 championship in 2005 and 2006.
In 2006 Cotter was appointed as Head Coach of ASM Clermont Auvergne. After two successive second place finishes, Cotter guided Clermont to their first Top 14 title, defeating Perpignan in the 2010 final. The kiwi also brought Clermont to the 2014 Heineken Cup Final, where they were narrowly defeated 16-15 by fellow French side Toulon.
Commenting on his announcement as Barbarians coach, Cotter said:
“It will be a tremendous honour for me to guide the Barbarians into this series. The history of the team speaks for itself and I’m sure we’ll have another two excellent games in store both in London and Belfast.
“We have already started putting together a world-class selection of players for the tour that will no doubt attract huge crowds for both games. As the club season comes towards its conclusion we will begin to release the names of those involved.”
This will be the second visit of the Barbarians to Belfast in seven months, following a thrilling seven-try win over Fiji at Kingspan Stadium in November.
SEASON TICKET HOLDER PRIORITY BOOKING PERIOD
Ulster Rugby Season Ticket holders have access to an exclusive priority booking period, during which they can purchase up to six tickets and avail of a 10% discount, until 5.00pm on Friday 24th March.
A link has been emailed to all Season Ticket account holders.
Over the counter and over the phone purchases will be available from 10.00am on Monday 20th March.
GENERAL SALE
Tickets, priced from just £20 for adults and £12 for juniors, will go on general sale online from Friday 17th March at 10am via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets
The general sale for over the counter / phone bookings will open at 10.00am on Monday 20th March.
GROUP BOOKINGS AND HOSPITALITY PACKAGES
For further information, please contact:
Group bookings: (028) 9049 3222 / tickets@ulsterrugby.com
Hospitality: (028) 9049 3222 / neil.hanna@ulsterrugby.com
The 55-year-old New Zealander is currently head coach of the Scottish national team, where he has overseen Six Nations championship wins over Ireland and Wales in recent weeks.
As a player Cotter spent ten years playing for Counties Manukau in New Zealand before another decade playing for several clubs in France.
At the turn of the century, Cotter returned to his native New Zealand to begin a coaching career with Bay of Plenty, where he would spend five seasons. In 2004 he joined up with Robbie Deans, who he succeeds as Barbarians coach, on the Crusaders coaching ticket. With Cotter as forwards coach the Crusaders would go on to win the Super 12 championship in 2005 and 2006.
In 2006 Cotter was appointed as Head Coach of ASM Clermont Auvergne. After two successive second place finishes, Cotter guided Clermont to their first Top 14 title, defeating Perpignan in the 2010 final. The kiwi also brought Clermont to the 2014 Heineken Cup Final, where they were narrowly defeated 16-15 by fellow French side Toulon.
Commenting on his announcement as Barbarians coach, Cotter said:
“It will be a tremendous honour for me to guide the Barbarians into this series. The history of the team speaks for itself and I’m sure we’ll have another two excellent games in store both in London and Belfast.
“We have already started putting together a world-class selection of players for the tour that will no doubt attract huge crowds for both games. As the club season comes towards its conclusion we will begin to release the names of those involved.”
This will be the second visit of the Barbarians to Belfast in seven months, following a thrilling seven-try win over Fiji at Kingspan Stadium in November.
SEASON TICKET HOLDER PRIORITY BOOKING PERIOD
Ulster Rugby Season Ticket holders have access to an exclusive priority booking period, during which they can purchase up to six tickets and avail of a 10% discount, until 5.00pm on Friday 24th March.
A link has been emailed to all Season Ticket account holders.
Over the counter and over the phone purchases will be available from 10.00am on Monday 20th March.
GENERAL SALE
Tickets, priced from just £20 for adults and £12 for juniors, will go on general sale online from Friday 17th March at 10am via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets
The general sale for over the counter / phone bookings will open at 10.00am on Monday 20th March.
GROUP BOOKINGS AND HOSPITALITY PACKAGES
For further information, please contact:
Group bookings: (028) 9049 3222 / tickets@ulsterrugby.com
Hospitality: (028) 9049 3222 / neil.hanna@ulsterrugby.com