The Scots, who finished the RBS 6 Nations with the wooden spoon after five defeats, face another tough test when they travel Down Under for their summer tour.

Williams' side take on Australia in two Tests as well as Samoa and he knows he needs a massive improvement if they are to once again become a respected side in world rugby.

The 54-strong squad will meet at the Scottish Institute of Sport in Stirling next week and Williams is set to use the meeting as a chance to gauge individuals' overall fitness and strength.

He said: "We have had a series of meetings over the past few weeks where we are setting up a nationwide fitness testing protocol, from the national team downwards.

"It's an area where we all acknowledge that we have made good progress in and with that regard they have been the fittest Scottish sides that we have put out.

"However, when we compare ourselves internationally we are behind in certain areas, and the problem we have had is that we have not had a national-based testing regime.

"We have identified, in a series of meetings with pro team coaches, athletes that need to work on certain areas.

"It's been done in isolation in the past but this is the first time we are going to pilot it as a squad, and thus the reason we have a big squad.''

Former Scotland coach Ian McGeechan, who is now director of rugby with the Scotland team, has been inspirational in helping set up such a testing programme, according to Williams.

He added: "It's been an area of our game that Ian has worked on previously as national coach and he has been of great assistance to me with respect to providing leadership and the resources for this to occur.

"He has been a great help to me over the first few months of being coach and as a guide.

"We are fortunate that we have a chief executive and a director of rugby who are in line with what I'm doing and very supportive, and this is a great example of that.

"We have got a national approach and that is part of the changes I want to see."