Saracens back row Brown, 30, was favourite to take the armband ahead of last year’s RBS 6 Nations but suffered a serious knee injury in January which ruled him out of the Championship as well as Scotland’s unbeaten summer tour of Australasia.

And Brown, who has been stuck on 49 caps since last year’s World Cup, is desperate to make up for lost time, starting with Scotland’s first autumn international against New Zealand.

He said: “It’s obviously a huge honour and though I haven’t played for Scotland for a while I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“It’s been so long since I’ve actually played for Scotland (September 2011) so I’m really, really looking forward to it.

“And we’re playing against the best side in the world so it’s a massive, massive challenge but one, I’m sure, we’ll thrive on.”

Robinson singled out Brown’s consistency in a Scotland shirt as why he was selected, while also paying tribute to Ross Ford, who took on the role during last year’s Six Nations and against Australia, Fiji and Samoa.

“Kelly Brown is an inspirational person. He has an aura, confidence and belief about him and a firm understanding of the game,” said Robinson.

“He has been a very consistent performer for Scotland. It’s because of these qualities that he has been appointed Scotland captain.

“I would like to congratulate Ross Ford in the way he has handled himself as captain of the side but also in respect of Kelly taking over.”