Henry Pyrgos admits finding out he would captain Scotland on Saturday was the proudest moment of his life.
The 26-year-old has been selected by head coach Vern Cotter to lead Scotland as they kick off their World Cup preparations with a Test clash against Ireland.
But Glasgow scrum-half Pyrgos knows he must now prove he is not bottom of the pecking order in the battle for the number nine jersey.
The match in Dublin is Pyrgos’ big chance to stake a claim for a place in Scotland’s final 31-man squad for the tournament. Greig Laidlaw not only held the scrum-half slot during this year’s Six Nations but also captained the side.
His former Edinburgh understudy Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, meanwhile, has blossomed since Laidlaw moved to Gloucester last summer and was named the Guinness Pro12’s young player of the year.
Pyrgos did help his Glasgow Warriors team to the Pro12 title but acknowledges that his half-back rivals are in the driving seat.
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“It’s how it is going to go,” said Pyrgos when asked about the scrum-half fight. “Greig has been starting obviously and Sam has been coming off the bench so (talk of them being favourites to start at the World Cup) is always going to be the case.
“I won the Pro12 but I wasn’t there with Scotland. However, I was happy with the way I finished the season. It was an amazing experience with Glasgow and that has put all the Glasgow guys in a good position I think.
“It’s amazing,” he said of taking the armband. “I didn’t expect to be in this situation but finding out about this is the proudest day of my life. “I know my family are thrilled too but I want to now justify it by going out and putting on a good performance.”
