JASON O'HALLORAN'S appointment as Scotland backs coach was confirmed yesterday, after the announcement of Duncan Hodge's imminent departure for Edinburgh cleared the way for his arrival.

O'Halloran will join his fellow-New Zealander Vern Cotter, Scotland's head coach, at Murrayfield in November after his current contract with Manawatu Turbos runs out.

The 42-year-old, who has been head coach with the Turbos since 2011, said he welcomes the forthcoming challenge of working with a squad in which he sees "significant growth potential".

"I'm looking forward to working with an exciting group of players under a widely respected head coach in Vern Cotter," O'Halloran said.

"I believe in the style Vern is pursuing and that there is significant growth potential in a young and enthusiastic squad. Working with that type of talent excites me and I believe the group of backs in the Scotland squad will be one that I can relate to and help grow. There are some very promising backs and developing an environment which allows them to express their flair will be a great challenge which I look forward to."

Capped once as an All Black, in 2000, O'Halloran began life as a coach five years later in Japan with the club where he ended his playing days, Kubota Spears. He returned to New Zealand two years later, becoming Manawatu's high performance academy manager. The highlight of his four years as head coach of the provincial side was winning the NPC Championship title.

Speaking to media in New Zealand, O'Halloran said he believed he needed a new environment in which to work, in order to avoid becoming stale in over-familiar surroundings. That need was instrumental in persuading him to move north rather than pursue a couple of options he said he had in Super Rugby.

"To be honest, Super Rugby doesn't spin my wheels too much," he said. "I can sort of know what the game's going to be almost before I turn the TV on.

"I know what sort of structures are going to be run by the attack. I know how teams are going to defend that. I know ultimately the game's going to be lost on a couple of errors or refereeing decisions.

"It doesn't really inspire me at the moment. I'd like to take on a new challenge, something that's a lot different and outside my comfort zone in terms of what the rugby's going to be like in the UK.

"I think it's time somebody went away and tried to bring in some sort of hybrid of the two hemispheres and maybe that might be a way of reinvigorating the competition. If I'm to come back and do Super [Rugby] in the future, then hopefully I can amalgamate a British style with a Kiwi one and gain a competitive edge."

Cotter, whose brother Jeremy is currently assistant coach to O'Halloran and is widely expected to succeed him, is confident his new colleague will strengthen his efforts to turn potential in the squad into achievement.

"Jason was a very good rugby player and is an excellent coach," he said. "I've kept tabs on him for a number of years, with him coming well recommended over that time.

"He's very strong on individual development, has a very good eye on attack and how to open up opportunities. I think our players will thrive and develop under him.

"His arrival is another plus for Scottish rugby. He'll bring another perspective and develop our players here in Scotland."