Bulloch named Scotland skipper

Murray out of year-end Tests

Glasgow hooker Gordon Bulloch has been named captain of Scotland for the team's year-end Test schedule. The 28-year-old last led the team in the World Cup match against the United States Eagles last year.

Edinburgh lock Scott Murray led the team during Scotland's tour of Australasia in June earlier this year, but with the big second rower out injured, Bulloch was the logical choice to lead the team in Murray's absence.

Scotland coach Matt Williams, meanwhile, has drafted in four uncapped players for the four Tests, which includes two games against the Wallabies.

The Glasgow duo of Sam Pinder and John Barclay, along with Borders forwards Ross Ford and Scott MacLeod have all been named in the squad.

Bulloch is now relishing the opportunity of captaining the national team again. And the grizzled No.2 is expecting his team-mates to have the advantage when they meet the Wallabies in November.

"We've all been working really hard both at national squad sessions and with our clubs," said Bulloch.

"To be selected is honour enough but to be made captain is really special.

"Captaincy gives you new challenges to rise to. We always work as a team - everybody is responsible - but being captain and having that added responsibility is a challenge that I'm especially looking forward to.

"Last time I captained Scotland was against the USA during the World Cup and it offered a totally different set of challenges - the weather to name only one.

"It was tough going in the heat of the Aussie summer, but you know, it's swings and roundabouts in world rugby.

"Australia have now got to deal with November in Scotland and temperatures that they'll definitely not be used to."

And Bulloch is expecting the Australians to feel the heat in the second Test, which will be played at Bulloch's home ground of Hampden Park, the first time Scotland have staged a major home international away from Murrayfield in almost 80 years.

"The fact that one of our matches will be played in Glasgow adds even more to what will already be a great occasion for me personally as it's my home city.

"The home crowd can always make a huge difference to the atmosphere of a game and I know the Hampden crowd won't let us down."

Williams said that the time was right for Bulloch to shoulder the responsibility of captaincy again.

He said: "Gordon is an influential and inspirational figure both on and off the pitch. The squad really respond to him.

"I had indicated at the start of last season that I intended to rotate the captaincy and I felt that now was the right time for Gordon to take over the mantle."

Scotland squad:

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Rugby), Ross Beattie (Gwent Dragons), Gordon Bulloch (captain, Glasgow Rugby), Bruce Douglas (The Borders), Ross Ford (The Borders), Scott Gray (The Borders), Stuart Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), Craig Hamilton (Newcastle Falcons), Nathan Hines (Edinburgh Rugby), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Donny Macfadyen (Glasgow Rugby), Cameron Mather (Glasgow Rugby), Scott MacLeod (The Borders), Jon Petrie (Glasgow Rugby), Robbie Russell (Saracens), Craig Smith (Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Smith (Northampton Saints), Jason White (Sale Sharks).

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby), Andy Craig (Glasgow Rugby), Chris Cusiter (The Borders), Simon Danielli (The Borders), Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Rugby), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Rugby), Ben Hinshelwood (Worcester), Robbie Kydd (Saracens), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Rugby), S Moffat (The Borders), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Rugby), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby), Sam Pinder (Glasgow Rugby), Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Webster (Edinburgh Rugby).