Laidlaw determined to retain spot
The emergence of Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has given Scotland an abundance of options at scrumhalf but incumbent Greig Laidlaw is adamant he's still the man for the job.
Laidlaw captained Scotland in the Six Nations after lock Grant Gilchrist was ruled out through injury – although they failed to win any of their five games.
Hidalgo-Clyne came off the bench in each of those matches to earn his five international caps, while his impressive performances for club side Edinburgh saw him named Young Player of the Season in the Celtic League.
At just 21-years-old he is eight years Laidlaw's junior but with September's World Cup inching ever closer, the latter is convinced his own form warrants him holding on to the number nine jersey.
"I think I have been playing well. I played well in the Premiership for Gloucester and I won the Challenge Cup with Gloucester in my first season. I am only 29 and I still have a hell of a lot to give to the Scotland jersey.
"I am going into this with the same mindset as I have always had. Whether I am captain or not, my position demands that I be 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 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," he said.
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