A FORMER Scotland rugby star has been appointed co-head coach at an American pro rugby union team.

Scott Murray will work alongside former USA internationalist Zack Test at the helm of Major League Rugby (MLR) outfit San Diego Legion.

The Musselburgh-born man won 87 caps for Scotland between 1997 and 2007 and toured with the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2001.

Murray, who represented Scotland in three World Cups, has been the club’s forwards coach for two years.

He said: “In a short period of time, SD Legion has built a world-class organisation and a fantastic culture. I am very excited to help further that and continue the team delivering success on the field.”

Before starting his coaching career, former Preston Lodge RFC man Murray earned 87 caps at lock for Scotland and also played in the English Premiership and French league.

Darren Gardner, San Diego Legion chairman, said: “Each with storied rugby careers as players, including multiple Rugby World Cups, Olympics and Lions tours, and their most recent work as very talented assistant coaches, Zack and Scott are well placed to take over our head-coaching role. Both have shown they could easily do the head-coach job in their own right, so I feel very fortunate to have them working in combination.

“We are excited about our next chapter and this is the first step.”

Murray, 44, attended Preston Lodge High School, Prestonpans, and began his career with Preston Lodge RFC.

He would go on to play for Bedford Blues before moving on to Saracens.

From there, he joined Edinburgh, where he linked up with fellow former Preston Lodge RFC man and Preston Lodge High School pupil Allan Jacobsen. Five years in the Capital followed before a move to US Montauban and then Castres and Stade Montois.