Stuart McInally believes he is much better-placed to succeed during his second spell as Edinburgh captain.
McInally has been handed the armband for the second time after sharing captaincy duties with Grant Gilchrist during the 2016-17 season, when Edinburgh finished ninth in the PRO12.
The 28-year-old resumes the role a more assured character after he and his club made huge strides last season.
McInally has excelled as a hooker after taking time to adapt following his switch from the front row. He captained Scotland to a 44-15 victory in Argentina in June after helping Edinburgh reach the PRO14 play-offs during Richard Cockerill’s first season in charge.
And McInally feels a changed man as he resumes the role.
BREAKING | Club centurion Stuart McInally has been named Edinburgh captain for the 2018/19 season. 👨✈️
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) August 21, 2018
Full story 👉 https://t.co/00cu6FPLHV#AlwaysEdinburgh | #CaptainRambo pic.twitter.com/Pojm4zbCQo
“It’s night and day,” he said. “At the time of getting the co-captaincy I didn’t feel it affected me at all, but with how relaxed I am about it now….
“The club is in such a better place. I am from Edinburgh, I have always wanted Edinburgh to do well and maybe before I was doing things over and above what I needed to because I wanted Edinburgh to be good and be great.
“Whereas now I feel all that is taken care of, the club is in a great place, so all that is left for me is just to focus on my side of it and making sure I am training well and playing well.
“I don’t think I need to change anything massively, it’s more about making sure I am in the team and when I’m in the team I am playing well and try to set standards around the place by working hard and doing everything I can to be the best I can be. It’s a big honour and I’m happy to do it.”
McInally feels progressing through difficult times has helped him calm down.
“I try not to get too high or too low,” he said. “Having been in some dark places with Edinburgh and personally as well, it’s good now to be in a place where I can be relaxed doing it.
“I know exactly what is expected and needed from me as a captain and there is no added pressure apart from doing everything I can to play as best I can.
“Understanding why you can’t control the outcomes of certain things is a big part of why I am more relaxed, I just do everything I can to get myself in the best position for Friday night and then whatever happens, happens.”
🗣️ "The club is in a great place and I can really focus on playing - which will be a big part of leading this year."
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) August 21, 2018
We caught up with new captain Stuart McInally who discussed his leadership style and what representing the city means to him. #AlwaysEdinburgh 🔷🔶 pic.twitter.com/r5VS7M5ZQd
Cockerill claimed his decision had been “dead easy”.
“He is born and bred in the city, schooled in the city, it’s his club and it makes sense,” the Edinburgh head coach said.
“He knows the highs and lows of the game, he has changed position. Two years ago he was captain with Gilchrist, Gilchrist was injured and Stuart wasn’t good enough to get a game.
“So he deserves to be captain because he’s a world-class player and he has proved that over the past 12 months.”
