Six Nations: Scotland name Kelly Brown captain for Calcutta Cup
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Kelly Brown has been named Scotland captain for their opening match of this year's Six Nations championship.
Brown, 30, who skippered Scotland during all three of the autumn Tests, has been endorsed by interim head coach Scott Johnson.
The Scots begin their campaign with the Calcutta Cup clash with England at Twickenham on 2 February.
"We believe Kelly has the qualities we're looking for to captain Scotland," Johnson said of his back-row forward.
Explaining his decision, Scotland's interim head coach said captaincy "is about deed in my book and not Churchillian oratory".
Johnson added: "The knowledge and experience that Kelly brings to the Test match arena is good for this team.
"We are also looking at our leadership group and I'll be naming two vice-captains in the team that we announce tomorrow."
The 52-time capped Brown has not played against England since the corresponding match at Twickenham two years ago.
"As I said back in November, it's a huge honour to captain Scotland," said Brown. "The job now, though, is to work with all the other players in the squad to deliver a performance to make the country proud this weekend.
"It's a while since I've played against England. I missed out through injury in last year's Six Nations and I was sidelined during the Rugby World Cup match in Auckland as well, so I'm really raring to go."
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What's that got to do with the opening game ?
Getting the excuses in early ?
The guy comes across as a bad Melbourne stand up.
Whilst I think England will win (probably by about 10 points) to achieve the type of score line you are suggesting a team must be totally dominant upfront in both aspects of the set piece. England have a better back line but Scotland will have parity in the scrum and line out. The forwards have not been the Scots problem in recent years.
Are you gonna claim that too?
So a Samoan, a Kiwi and a South African walk in to a bar. Bar man says where is the rest of the England team ????
This weekend Scotland's have 4 players born outside of the UK and a handful of them being born in England. Whereas England's will has 7 players born outside the UK. Get your facts right.
Not really. He's lived in England since he was 8, has English parents, played all his pro rugby in England, developed by Bath. That's one hell of a stretch to say we poached him off Scotland.
I see that Scotland u20 have capped a Bath player called JJ Kilmartin. As he's played for England u18s I guess that makes him perfect for Scotland.
Yes. If he played for a Scottish club, developed through the Scottish system and played age group rugby for Scotland then yes he is more Scottish than English. Certainly in rugby terms.
That would have been ironic, Heathcote playing for England, meaning that England poached a Scottish born player!
Cant believe they would stoop so low!
I see your point but that's always going to happen where countries such England and France dominate the sport and populations... Bit of a side issue but Stuart Lancaster came through The Scottish age grade system, are you suggesting he's less English?
It is slightly different though dont you think?
Get a player from a country next door, or one from the other side of the world - Its a bit strange that you should accuse little Scotland of poaching from the almighty England.
Maybe if your RFU wasnt so desperate to take on South Africans, Maoris and other SH players, the likes of Heathcote and Evans would play for England
He's light hearted in interviews, no mention of passion or winning. He's done everything to take the pressure and focus off his players, something AR didn't do.