RECENTLY-APPOINTED Edinburgh assistant coach Nick Scrivener has been handed an early promotion with his selection to help the Scotland A side prepare for their match against Tonga at Gala's Netherdale ground on Friday November 20.
The appointment comes less than three months after the former Australia A and ACT Brumbies coach took over as assistant to Rob Moffat and Tom Smith at the Murrayfield-based side.
Scrivener spent eight years with Super 14 team, ACT Brumbies and la
unched the club's academy, as well as being involved with the Australia under-21 team before moving to the Capital.
He will assist Glasgow pair Sean Lineen and Shade Munro to prepare for the visit of the South Sea Islanders, many of whom play their rugby in Europe. Lineen succeeds Andy Robinson who led the Scots to the IRB Nations Cup title in the summer.
Scrivener, whose head coach at Edinburgh, Moffat, is a former PE teacher in Galashiels, said: "Being part of the Scotland A team is a great opportunity for me to work with other players and staff.
"Rob Moffat often speaks about the Borders as a traditional stronghold and its passionate support, so I'm expecting it to be a fantastic occasion."
Lineen added: "I've been involved with Scotland and Scotland A for a number of years so I'm delighted to be appointed as the head coach.
"Most of the Tongans play their club rugby in Europe – especially in France. They have some tremendous athletes and world-class players including Toulouse number eight Finau Maka.
"We'll play a good brand of rugby, a real running game that will excite and challenge the players and get the crowd behind us."