He will become the Welsh region’s attack coach for the new season. James is replacing Worcester Warriors-bound Matt Sherratt, who had the title of backs coach at Liberty Stadium.
The Aussie playmaker spent 14 years playing in the Top 14 in France, a decade of which was at Clermont after he arrived to take over at No 10 from Stephen Jones. He helped Clermont win the Top 14 title for the first time in 2010 and also steered them to a European Challenge Cup victory in 2007.
An Australian U21 and Sevens international, he played twice for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham, faced the Irish team with the combined side and kicked three conversions in their 2011 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
“There is no doubt, in my mind, he will be an inspiration to the players he will be coaching. Our rugby philosophy and how we want the Ospreys to play are very similar – it’s about developing a home-grown team, playing an attractive brand of rugby and scoring tries,” said Booth.
“We interviewed 10 candidates for the role and they were all highly qualified and impressive, but we were really deliberate and methodical in the whole process to get the person we wanted.
“We appointed Brock because of his rugby CV and because of his vast experience of European competitions and northern hemisphere rugby. That’s because that is where the Ospreys have to be competitive.”
At Clermont, James worked under former Irish coach Joe Schmidt and ex-Scotland boss Vern Cotter before moving on to play in two stints at La Rochelle and one at Bordeaux-Begles.
Three times in his career he finished as the leading points scorer in the Top 14 and he was in the Clermont side that played in five Top 14 finals.
“When you look at the squad, it is full of experienced internationals and a lot of really exciting young talent coming through the ranks and the chance to work with them was something I couldn’t let pass me by,” said James.
“I always had an interest in coaching and my time with Bordeaux really ignited my hunger to go in that direction and to share what I’ve learnt in rugby.
“After 14 years in France I now have the chance to experience a new club and a new competition with a side I can hopefully add some value to.
“I played alongside a lot of international players, especially at Clermont, and I always learnt a lot from them and I am sure it will be the same at the Ospreys as a coach.”
