New head coach Robinson revealed whichever of the two scrum-halves were on the pitch at the time would wear the armband.

The unusual move is bound to increase the already fierce competition between Edinburgh skipper Blair – who has also captained his country for the last year and a half – and Glasgow’s Cusiter.

Both players have been vying for the Scotland number nine jersey for a number of years.

Robinson told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org: “Leadership is not about one person, it is about developing a number of leaders.

“This year, we’re going to have two captains: Mike Blair and Chris Cusiter – two world-class players, two world-class people.

“Whichever one is selected will lead the team. But, off the pitch, the two will lead the team together.”