The former Leinster number two will link up with Scotland head coach Matt Williams, who is currently on tour with the team in Australia.

The 49-year-old, who won 27 caps for Ireland as a lock between 1984 and 1990, will now follow the team Down Under on Sunday in what he believes will be an observational capacity.

Anderson said: It is a huge honour to coach Scotland and Im looking forward to working with Matt again, who I first met in 1991 when I was on a reconnaissance trip to Australia to set the foundation for the academy structure for Ireland.

Yes, I am Irish but working with Scotland will be no different in terms of culture in going down from Ulster to Dublin.

I envisage that my role in Australia now will be simply to observe and get to know the players and the management.

Anderson replaces Todd Blackadder as number two but the former New Zealand international will remain as a technical consultant while continuing to play for Edinburgh Gunners.

Scotland coach Williams added: From a shortlist, Willie Anderson was the outstanding candidate and the one with the most experience at a high international level.

It was purely a bonus that I had worked with Willie previously.

We work well together and I look forward to rekindling that partnership.