Matt Williams' new-look side will now face World Cup runners-up Australia twice in a schedule that features attractive internationals against Tri-Nations champions South Africa and increasingly competitive Japan.

Williams said: We showed considerable improvement during our two Tests against the Wallabies on our summer tour and it will be a terrific challenge to welcome them for two matches on Scottish soil later this year.

The fact we will also face high-flying South Africa and Japan, who ran us close for an hour during last year's Rugby World Cup, makes for an engrossing series, one that is already exciting the players.

It's really important for us to play against top sides because that gives us the best chance to improve.

I'm also pleased that after only two home Tests so far this year we will have four on the trot in the autumn.