Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw backs his credentials as captain

Greig Laidlaw believes he is still the right man to captain Scotland at this year's World Cup, despite question marks over his ability in the role.

The Gloucester scrum-half was installed as captain ahead of the 2015 Six Nations campaign, in which Scotland finished bottom with five defeats from five matches.

With the emergence of rival No 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne pressure has increased on Laidlaw’s position in the side, while former skipper Grant Gilchrist has returned from injury, but he said he will not alter his mentality even if he is replaced as captain.

"I am going into this with the same mind-set as I have always had," Laidlaw said.

"Whether I am captain or not my position [of scrum-half] demands that I am a leader anyway so I will do that every session anyway and demand that of myself.

"I also demand high standards from the players around about me so that's what I"ll do and what will be will be.

"We've got a few new players in the group and I've been helping them to acclimatise. Being a captain is hugely important and that's part of my job. I think leading by example is the way to do it and I think if the boys see that I come out hard and put the work in then hopefully they will follow suit.

"I have spoken to Vern a couple of times about the captaincy issue and a couple of other things and what comes out in due course will happen. I respect Vern and he respects me and the players respect me as well and whether I am captain or not I will still be the same player and the same person."

Scotland have begun an intensive, three-month training schedule in the build-up to the World Cup with fixtures against Ireland, Italy and France to come, but Laidlaw believes the preparations are crucial after such a dismal Six Nations campaign.

"The long build-up is one of the toughest things to deal with," he said.

"Everyone is talking about the World Cup, but as players we have to take things day by day. Some boys will pick up knocks and injuries, but that is just part of the game.

"I think we need the long build up to prepare because we had a poor Six Nations and we need to get things right and make sure that we get out of the group.

"The World Cup still seems a long way off for us as players. We have a week's rest now and we will keep ticking over and then come back in for another three-week block and another four-week block.

"Although the World Cup is so far away as players you always have one eye on it, it is exciting. We all just want to get there in one piece really."