Gilchrist drawing on Edinburgh experience to lead Scotland

The 24-year-old will lead out his country at home for the first time next month, having taken the armband twice against Argentina and South Africa on tour over the summer.

Although Mike Coman occupies the captain's position at Edinburgh, coach Alan Solomons has been eager to give Gilchrist a more active role beyond calling lineouts this campaign.

And the lock is confident these extra duties - together with the tests Edinburgh face in the GUINNESS PRO12 and beyond - will inspire him to carry his best form into marshalling his national side.

"Leading Scotland out at Murrayfield is as good as you can get, and certainly I can't wait for the first Test," Gilchrist told The Scotsman.

"It's a massive honour and something that I'm really proud of. I want to make sure that I'm at my best and leading the team as best I can.

"In Edinburgh the way Alan's run it is that me and Mike Coman share most of the duties anyway.

"I've been taking on a lot of extra responsibility with Edinburgh this season, even compared to last season when I was calling lineouts and leading within the team.

"I was trying to do everything I could to be in the Scotland team, and that won't change. I'll play as best I can this weekend and in the lead-up to the Tests to make sure that happens."

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