Stade Francais brings in an All Black

Cooper, who joined the Parisian club as backs coach this season, will take over from Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada as head coach, after signing a three-year contract as "sporting manager" starting at the end of this season, a move Stade described as a "new cycle".

"The decision wasn't easy to take because I'm extremely attached to this club and this squad. I'm fully committed to the end of the season and that's the sole thing that concerns me today," said Quesada, who joined Stade in 2013 and led them to the Top 14 title in 2015.

Stade currently sit ninth in the Top 14 after a disappointing start to the season.

Cooper, 51, was capped seven times by the All Blacks and went on to coaching roles with the Highlanders and Blues in Super Rugby and NEC in Japan.

Agence France-Presse