Scotland begin the 2013 RBS 6 Nations with a trip to Twickenham to face England, looking to win the Calcutta Cup for the first time since the 2008 tournament.

Brown didn’t feature in the previous two defeats at the 2011 World Cup and last year’s RBS 6 Nations and is determined to put a smile back on Scottish faces.

“As I said back in November, it’s a huge honour to captain Scotland. The job now, though, is to work with all the other players in the squad to deliver a performance to make the country proud this weekend,” said Brown

“It’s a while since I’ve played against England. I missed out through injury in last year’s RBS 6 Nations and I was sidelined during the Rugby World Cup match in Auckland as well, so I’m really raring to go.”

And, with 52 Scotland caps to his name, interim head coach Scott Johnson admitted it was Brown’s experience that saw him handed the captaincy once again.

“It was right and proper that the coaches considered captaincy at the same time as we were looking at selection of our squad for the England game,” said Johnson.

“We believe Kelly has the qualities we’re looking for to captain Scotland.  Captaincy is about deed in my book, not Churchillian oratory, and the knowledge and experience that Kelly brings to the Test match arena is good for this team.

“We are also looking at our leadership group and I’ll be naming two vice-captains in the team.”