Murray to skipper Scots

Murray in action against Ireland

Scott Murray has been named captain for Scotland's match against Italy on Saturday.

The day will also see the Edinburgh Rugby second-row win his 50th cap for his country.

The 27-year-old from Musselburgh made his debut for Scotland in 1997 against Australia.

However, this will be the second time the Lions lock has been called on to lead the side.

Murray took over the Scotland captaincy when both Bryan Redpath and Gregor Townsend had left the field during the second Test on the 2003 tour to South Africa.

A delighted Murray said: "I felt pretty chuffed when Ian McGeechan told me - excited but nervous at the same time.

"I know I've been handed a real honour and I'm looking forward to Saturday.

"I think I've been playing a bit better but there's still a long way to go for me.

"This is a good step in the right direction and hopefully I can put it back on the pitch.

"The (coaches) have shown they can believe in me and hopefully I can show it on the park and off.

This is a massive responsibility but I'm just happy to be playing better rugby and hopefully I can keep getting better and better. Scott Murray

"I knew I wasn't playing well (during the Six Nations) and I knew what I had to do to get better.

"I had set myself some goals and one of them was just to get back in the team and secure a place for the World Cup, I wasn't thinking about being captain."

The former Dundee Juniors, Preston Lodge and Edinburgh Accies second row played his rugby at Bedford and Saracens before returning to Scotland to sign for Edinburgh Rugby.

He was one of only three Scots (alongside Tom Smith and Simon Taylor) named in the original British Lions squad for their tour to Australia in 2001.

Scotland Head coach Ian McGeechan said: "Scott has been calling the line outs for the past couple of seasons now and I'm very keen that he takes on more responsibility.

"Making him captain is an extension of the duties he's undertaken in the line outs.

"The fact that he's winning his 50th cap as well just might have had something to do with it!"