All-action All Black Josh Kronfeld holds the key to Scotland's Lloyds TSB Six Nations title challenge.

Kronfeld has been putting John Leslie through his paces in New Zealand this month.

And the reports have been so encouraging that Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has made Leslie the new national captain.

Yesterday's announcement represents something of a gamble for McGeechan, who is pinning his faith in a man who has not played a competitive game since being stretchered off in the opening match of the World Cup against South Africa in October.

While Leslie's talent is not in question, there has to be a huge doubt about his match fitness, although McGeechan has opted to name an extra back in the 23-man party which will travel to Rome for the opening Six Nations clash with Italy on February 5.

Leslie is due to get married in New Zealand this weekend and will then fly into Edinburgh for a week of intensive training.

And McGeechan insists that unless he comes through unscathed Leslie will not play.

"John is totally honest and he will not do anything unless he is 100%," said McGeechan.

"He has worked tremendously hard over the last three weeks and has been so positive and professional.

"Josh Kronfeld has done quite a bit of training with him and he is one of the fittest guys around, so that is a useful guide.

"It is a risk because he has not played since South Africa but it is one I am prepared to take."

It was Leslie's midfield combination with Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait which inspired Scotland to their Five Nations title last season.

Although Tait has now retired from the game with persistent back problems, it is a major boost to Scottish hopes that two-thirds of that unit are retained.

Only last week, team manager Dougie Morgan indicated that Leslie would not be selected that the demands of travel and fitness were too much to overcome.

However, not only has the Wellington born star been chosen, he must also fill the void left by departing skipper Gary Armstrong.

Leslie has played just seven internationals since turning his back on his native New Zealand in 1998.

He entered the record books last season with his 10-second try against Wales and recently signed a contract with Premiership outfit Newcastle.

And, despite his relative lack of Scottish experience, McGeechan an Englishman who became Scotland captain is confident his squad will respond.

"If you watch him on the field he is a natural leader," said McGeechan.

"He has a very good assessment of what is going on. He gets on well with the other players and they respect him.

"There were one or two other contenders but I have spoken to a couple of senior players and they are all very comfortable with John as captain."

Leslie himself could hardly have expected such an honour to be bestowed upon him when he abandoned his dream of winning an All Black jersey to take advantage of his grandfather's birth in Linlithgow to win international honours with Scotland.

With brother Martin and full-back Glenn Metcalfe, they have formed a group affectionately known as the `kilted Kiwis' which have revived Scottish fortunes.

Written off as Wooden Spoon material last season, Scotland overcame the odds to clinch the championship and will start this season's tournament as strong contenders.

"When I came over to Scotland 14 months ago, I could never have envisaged the direction my rugby career would take," said Leslie.

"To be selected for Scotland in the first instance was, and remains, a huge honour. To be chosen to captain the side is an additional privilege.

"My fitness is strong and I'm very much looking forward to leading the guys in the defence of our championship title."

Only three members of McGeechan's squad were not part of predecessor Jim Telfer's party for the recent World Cup.

Former Bath skipper Andy Nicol is hitting top form at Glasgow Caledonians and could win the battle with Bryan Redpath for Armstrong's vacant scrum half berth.

Mattie Stewart has been earning rave reviews at Northampton and edged out George Graham, while Alan Bulloch will cover Kenny Logan and Shaun Longstaff on the wing in the absence of long-term injury victim Cammie Murray.

Glasgow-born Bulloch younger brother of first-choice hooker Gordon won his only A cap as a replacement against the Netherlands in December and has never been called into a senior international squad before.

If Leslie proves his fitness, Bulloch will probably be the odd man out when McGeechan finalises his starting line up next Thursday.

But the 22-year-old has a bright future if he continues to improve at the present rate.

"Over the last couple of months Glasgow Caledonians have produced some very good performances and Alan has shown upvery well," said McGeechan.

"I first saw him in a Heineken Cup game against Leinster and I was quite impressed.

"I have seen how he is coming on and he gives us cover at centre and wing. It will also be good experience for him to be part of the national squad."

With Newcastle's Peter Walton out for the season with a neck injury, Stuart Reid has won the battle with Cammy Mather for the role as back-row cover.