Pringle will link up with the Scotland squad ahead of the summer tour next week before they travel to the southern hemisphere for three tests, against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa.

South-African born Pringle joined Hawick in 2003 before playing for Edinburgh Rugby as a second-row from 2004-2008. He then became head coach at Boroughmuir RFC and assistant coach at Currie Chieftains.

He joined Watsonians as head coach of their FOSROC Super Series team where he led them to a championship victory in 2022. Pringle was then appointed as assistant coach of the Scotland U20 team in 2022.

Fergus Pringle said: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity. I have big shoes to fill, in place of JD (John Dalziel), but it’s a massive honour and something I’m really looking forward to.

“You can’t really coach at a higher level in the country than the national team so I recognise that it’s a privilege to be involved.

“I’ve known JD for quite a long time, I know how talented he is so I’m not at all surprised that he’s getting the opportunity to go on the British & Irish Lions tour. I’m really happy for him.

“We’re aligned with how I operate with the under 20s and we work together closely. I’m just trying to build on what he’s done and squeeze every drop out of this opportunity over the summer.”

Gregor Townsend said: “We’re delighted that Ferg is joining us for our summer tour. He has contributed a huge amount for Scottish Rugby over the years and has rightly earned this opportunity by how he’s developed as a coach during this time. He has also worked closely with John Dalziel, so there will be a strong alignment in terms of his knowledge of our systems and processes for the lineout and maul. We are looking forward to Ferg adding his own ideas and experiences as we take on a challenging tour to the south pacific.”

“We are very proud that we representation on the British and Irish Lions Tour with John going as forwards coach and Mark Beels who will join the Lions as kit man. While our focus is on our Tour to New Zealand and Fiji, we will be watching the Lions Tour closely and we wish John, Mark and all the players selected the very best of luck for their Tour of Australia.”

With Pringle stepping into the national team, Scott Lawson will join Scotland U20 Men as Assistant Coach for the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Lawson has already been working with the group as a specialist skills coach, in particular with the hookers.

Lawson said: “I’m delighted for Fergus that he’s getting the opportunity with the national team, and I’m sure he will take it with both hands.

“For me, I’m really looking forward to being an assistant coach of this group. I know the group well already so I’m excited to get right into it and help the team build towards the U20 Championship in Italy.”