Lineen takes charge of Scotland A

Glasgow Warriors' Sean Lineen has been appointed Scotland A head coach for this month's match against Tonga.

Lineen, who continues as Glasgow head coach, has been promoted from the backroom staff to succeed Andy Robinson, now national head coach.

Warriors coach Shade Munro will continue as assistant coach and will be joined by Edinburgh's Nick Scrivener in the set-up.

Scotland play Tonga at Netherdale, Galashiels, on Friday 20 November.

Robinson, who had been Edinburgh coach before taking the Scotland job, led the A side to victory in the IRB Nations Cup in Romania.

Now he has been succeeded by the man who has taken Edinburgh's rivals to third in the Magners League this season.

"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"

Lineen said: "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."

"International rugby presents a fantastic challenge for coaches and the players in a very exciting team given some of the quality young Scottish players coming through the ranks.

"It's great that the game is being played in the Borders - home of some knowledgeable and vocal rugby supporters who will really want to come out in numbers to see a quality Scotland A side.

"Most of the Tongans play their club rugby in Europe - especially in France.

"They have some tremendous athletes and world-class players in the team, including Toulouse number eight Finau Maka, who made a big impact in the 2007 World Cup, where they narrowly missed out on the quarter-finals.

"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."

Scrivener is relishing the opportunity to return to international rugby at the home of Gala RFC.

"Being part of the Scotland A team is a great opportunity for me to work with other players and staff," said the former ACT Brumbies and Australia A coach, who had been told about the ground by Edinburgh's coach.

"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."

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