Yesterday's announcement that Jonathan Humphreys is joining the Scotland backroom team as forwards coach also served to confirm that Scott Johnson's involvement with the Scottish Rugby Union is to be made permanent.

The decision to appoint Humphreys, the former Wales captain, to fill the vacancy left by Dean Ryan – he chose to take charge of Worcester Warriors rather than remain involved with Scotland – was clearly made at the behest of the Australian who has been Scotland's caretaker head coach since Andy Robinson was sacked at the end of last year; the pair previously worked together in Wales with the Ospreys.

While it remains to be seen whether Johnson will remain as head coach or take on a broader role in charge of rugby development, Murrayfield administrators have left room for speculation by allowing him to start appointing staff before his own position is clear.

Successive Scotland managements – Frank Hadden, Andy Robinson and Johnson himself – have not been able to appoint their own staff on taking over as head coach and it is potentially concerning that the caretaker has had a hand in making an appointment when he himself may not be offered his current post on a permanent basis.

It seems, though, that the nature of Johnson's permanent role will be revealed soon, as alluded to by Humphreys. "I know Scott Johnson 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," he said. "I'm very excited by the challenge of working with the Scotland players and management and building on the solid foundations that are in place."

Now 44, Humphreys, who won 35 caps for Wales in an international career spanning eight years from 1995, has been forwards coach at the Ospreys since 2006. He joined the Welsh side as forwards coach eight years ago after they had won their first Celtic title, and, during the competition's evolution from Magners League to RaboDirect Pro12, helped steer them to a record four wins in all, while they also won the Anglo-Welsh Cup during his time with them.

He will start his two-year deal in time for the forthcoming quadrangular tournament with Samoa, South Africa and Italy in June.

"Jonathan impresses us," said Mark Dodson, the SRU's chief executive, yesterday. "He's a very astute coach and, when you look at the players he has nurtured to the very highest levels of the game, clearly he has much to offer."