A key member of Scotland’s backroom staff has been announced as an assistant coach for the British and Irish Lions upcoming summer tour of Australia. The Lions will kick off their preparations for the trip down under with a meeting with Argentina in Dublin in June before facing several warmup games in Australia against the likes of Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs. The first test match against the Aussies comes on Saturday, July 19 before the final two tests of the tours come on the following two weekends. With preparations for the tour now clicking up a gear, Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel has been named on Andy Farrell’s coaching staff. Dalziel will join fellow assistants Richard Wigglesworth (England) and Irish trio Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman. The former Border Reivers flanker revealed his pride over his appointment and is relishing the ‘intense’ environment he will experience during the summer tour. He told the Scottish Rugby website: “Being selected as assistant coach for the British and Irish Lions is the pinnacle for any coach and is something I’m hugely honoured about. It’s a real pinch yourself moment. I’ve heard a lot of stories about the Lions and grew up watching the tours and documentaries. This will be more intense than anything I’ve ever experienced given the frequency and importance of the games. It’s a massively exciting opportunity. “I am appreciative of Scottish Rugby for the experiences I’ve been given here which has allowed me to be selected. Throughout my time here I’ve always focused on keeping my head down and working hard to be the best coach I can be for Scotland. I’m fortunate that someone has seen something in that work to appoint me in this role.” Several members of the Scotland squad will be hoping to land a place in the Lions squad for the tour down under - and Dalziel has revealed the timeframe for the decision-making process ahead of the final announcement in May. He explained: “We have our first coaches meeting this week in London and I would imagine the topic of selection will be high on the agenda. The players still have a lot of rugby to be played between now and the final selection so even guys who missed out on the Six Nations through injury could still make a case to go on tour. The depth and quality of the players we have in Scotland is really encouraging and I’m optimistic that we’ll be well represented.” Your next Scottish rugby read: France 35-16 Scotland: report & ratings as players stake Lions claim despite shocking referee decision