Greig Laidlaw replaces injured Grant Gilchrist as Scotland captain

Experienced Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw will lead his country into this Saturday’s viagogo Autumn Test match against Argentina at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 5.30pm) it was announced today

The 31-times capped Borderer takes on the mantle from 24-year-old lock Grant Gilchrist, who was ruled out of the series after fracturing his forearm in Edinburgh Rugby’s European Challenge Cup win over Lyon, just four days after being accorded the honour.

Laidlaw, who skippered Edinburgh Rugby for the three seasons before departing for Gloucester in the summer, has led Scotland on seven occasions to date, two of which were in Vern Cotter’s first Tests as head coach in the recent summer tour – wins over USA and Canada.

Vern Cotter said: “Obviously we’re disappointed for Grant, who misses the opportunity to captain his country at home on this occasion, however congratulations must now go to Greig who takes on that responsibility for this Saturday’s game.  Greig offers us a bit of continuity, having captained the side on the summer tour. He’s been playing well for Gloucester and I think he deserves this selection.”

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“He offers us a combination of good tactical nous and good leadership.  He’s got experience, he reads the game and communicates well with his teammates, so his appointment is due to a combination of factors.  He’s an exceptionally competitive player and everyone respects his desire to win, to drive Scotland forward and perform well.”

Cotter also confirmed that 22-times capped Edinburgh Rugby number 8 David Denton has been added to the Scotland squad.

Denton last played for his country against Wales in the RBS 6 Nations in March, having missed the summer tour with concussion.

A hamstring injury sustained in pre-season then kept him out of the first seven weeks of the 2014/15 season before returning to action in his club’s win over Lyon in the European Rugby Challenge Cup last month.

Scotland’s viagogo Autumn Test campaign gets underway at BT Murrayfield this Saturday against Argentina (8 November, kick-off 17:30 BST, 19:30 SA Time), before facing The Rugby Championship winners New Zealand, at the same venue (15 November), followed by Tonga at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock (22 November).