SCOTLAND have appointed former All Blacks fitness guru Graham Lowe as their new Director of Performance Rugby.

The 38-year-old – who worked as National Fitness Advisor for New Zealand Rugby Union until 2008 - will report to head coach Andy Robinson and chief executive Gordon McKie.

Lowe currently works as physical performance manager for 2010 America’s Cup challengers BMW Oracle Racing.

“We are delighted to have secured the services of Graham Lowe for this important position,” said McKie.

“During his four years as the head strength and conditioning coach with the All Blacks he was a key member of the senior management group that delivered an 88% win ratio, which included three successive Tri-Nations titles, a Lions series win and a Grand Slam tour to the British Isles in 2005.

“With his NZRU and All Blacks background, Graham has a proven ability to apply performance planning and supporting top-level programmes in a way that will benefit our players and other personnel who are involved in assisting performance rugby.”