Edwards, who was interim head coach at Edinburgh Gunners before the arrival of Lynn Howells this month, succeeds Border Reivers chief Steve Bates in the role.

SRU chief executive Gordon McKie said: I have discussed the matter with Steve and we feel that, with two Heineken Cup games in October and two more in December, plus the involvement of Reivers assistant coaches George Graham and Alan Tait with the full Scotland squad during the autumn Tests, it would be fairer for the Reivers for Steve to give them his full attention during November.

Henry, who has recently completed a successful period as interim coach of Edinburgh Gunners, has agreed to take on the Scotland A coaching duties for our match against Australia in Perth on Tuesday, November 21.

Under Bates, Scotland A were runners-up in the Churchill Cup this summer.

Now Edwards is aiming to take forward that success to the game at McDiarmid Park.

He said: I will be looking to work together with Scotland coach Frank Hadden to determine the squad and will be keen to build upon the A team performances in the Churchill Cup.