Wednesday 5 March 2014 12:59, UK
Ahead of his dramatic return to Six Nations action this weekend, Kelly Brown insists he will never take the Scotland captaincy for granted.
Following Scotland's opening round defeat at the hands of Ireland, head coach Scott Johnson made the surprise call to omit captain Brown, who sat out the clashes against England and Italy.
The flanker has played both openside, where he starts for Scotland against France on Saturday, and blindside with Saracens and admits he is solely focused on raising his game.
Scott Johnson has been very open and honest with me and he's let me know where I stand. If I am playing as well as I can then hopefully I will be in the Scotland team.
Brown says Johnson made his position clear and the 61-cap international is prepared to prove his credentials as he fights for a place in the side.
"I went away and I've worked as hard as I can on my game so I'm really happy to be back in the side," he told STV Sport.
"I'm very, very happy and it is something I will never take for granted. All I focus on is how I am playing and that's all I can do.
"Scott Johnson has been very open and honest with me and he's let me know where I stand. If I am playing as well as I can then hopefully I will be in the Scotland team."
Brown's demotion brought Johnson's selection policy under scrutiny, especially given the importance of the national team's captain.
Scrum-half Greig Laidlaw deputised in the back row's absence and Brown insists the pair are working closely together as a "leadership team".
"What we have developed here is something of a leadership team so Greig and I work very closely together," Brown added.
"We will speak and bounce ideas off each other, but what I want to do as a captain is just lead through my actions.
"We are starting to build a lot of strength in depth which is a good thing going forward."
