Lions tourist Ross Ford will captain Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations.
The 2009 Test Lion takes over from Glasgow lock Ali Kellock who led Scotland at the recent World Cup.
Ford started all four games at the global gathering in New Zealand and now has 53 Scotland caps to his name, plus one for Britain and Ireland’s elite having come on as a second-half replacement for Matthew Rees in the third rubber against the Springboks two-and-a-half years ago.
“This is a special day for Ross, who has been a key figure in our leadership group and our most consistent performer for some time,” said Scotland head coach Andy Robinson.
“I firmly believe he is the man who will step up and lead from the front.
“For me, the big thing is leading from the front and actually showing a good example to the boys as well as backing it up with words.”
Ford’s appointment may only be a temporary promotion, however, after Robinson revealed that Kelly Brown had been his initial choice to skipper the Scots.
Brown was privately asked to take on the leadership role a few days ago but a leg injury picked up in Saracens’ Heineken Cup win over Treviso has ruled the combative flanker out of the entire 6 Nations campaign.
“I'm really disappointed for Kelly Brown,” added Robinson.
“I had asked him to be the captain late last week but unfortunately injury will deprive him of that honour and the chance to lead out his country for his 50th cap."
Lions and Scotland doctor James Robson is predicting a lay-off of around two months for Brown, meaning his likely return date will be after the final match of the tournament in Italy on March 17.
“Following the scans that Kelly underwent yesterday and consultation with a knee specialist, Kelly will require a small operation to stabilise the fibula head in his leg – which he dislocated,” said Robson.
“This will be undertaken in the next seven to 10 days once the initial swelling has settled.
“The return from an injury of this nature is, typically, in the region of eight to 10 weeks.”
