Former Wales captain Jonathan Humphreys fills the void left by Dean Ryan following the conclusion of the Six Nations © Getty Images

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Former Wales hooker Jonathan Humphreys has been appointed Scotland's new forwards coach on a two-year contract.

The 44-year-old will leave the Ospreys at the end of the current PRO12 campaign to join caretaker coach Scott Johnson's support staff in time for his side's quadrangular tournament against Samoa, South Africa and Italy in June. He fills the void left by former England forward Dean Ryan who completed a short-term stint as Johnson's assistant at the end of this year's Six Nations.

Humphreys previously worked with Johnson at the Ospreys and is relishing the chance to renew their working relationship. However, the Scottish Rugby Union are yet to agree a permanent deal with Johnson who initially only agreed to guide the side up to and including their summer tour.

Humphreys said: "I'm very excited by the challenge of working with the Scotland players and management and building on the very solid foundations that are in place. I know Scott well from our time together at the Ospreys and it will be great to renew acquaintance with a man who has such a sharp rugby brain."

The move brings an end to Humphreys' eight-year relationship with the Ospreys having joined the region as forwards coach in 2005. During his tenure with the Swansea-based club, Humphreys helped them claim a record three RaboDirect PRO12 titles as well as the EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2008.

He added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ospreys for everything they have done for me. They gave me the opportunity to coach at the top level and have stuck by me through a lot of change and upheaval.

"The organisation has helped me develop and has been determined to get me the best experiences possible to try and make me the best coach that I can possibly be. They have always been unflinching in their support of me and for that I will always be extremely grateful to everyone at the region.

"I'm extremely proud of the trophies that we have won but I am even more proud of the players that we have developed to represent Wales and the Lions. I feel extremely fortunate to have coached the calibre of player that I have had at my disposal and to see them grow to go on to play international rugby. It's been a tough decision to leave because of the people I work with, but I am sure success will always follow the Ospreys with the systems and structures in place."

Scottish Rugby's chief executive Mark Dodson was quick to hail Humphrey's credentials. "Jonathan impresses us. He's a very astute coach and when you look at the players he has nurtured to the very highest levels of the game then clearly he has much to offer," he said.

Ospreys chief operations officer Andrew Hore, meanwhile, paid tribute to the departing coach. "Jonathan has been a tremendous servant to the Ospreys, his home region, playing a big part in our successes over the last eight years," he said. "We have developed a strong reputation for our forward strength and Jonathan has been instrumental in that, playing a part in the development of so many forwards who have gone on to represent Wales and the Lions."