Gary Armstrong has backed John Leslie as the new Scotland captain and insisted his place of birth has no bearing on his passion for the job.

The New Zealander has been named as Armstrong's successor by coach Ian McGeechan and, fitness permitting, Leslie will lead Scotland into their Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship opener against Italy in Rome on February 5.

As a man born outside Scottish borders who went on to skipper his chosen country, McGeechan feels 29-year-old Leslie is more than able to shoulder the responsibility.

And Armstrong, a Jedburgh farmer with true Tartan blood running through his veins, feels the same.

"John has the makings of a great leader and it certainly won't bother the players where he comes from," said Armstrong, who stood down from international rugby after the World Cup to concentrate on his club career with Newcastle.

"Folk shouldn't judge him on where he was born, it's his ability to do the job that counts. He has chosen to play for Scotland and that is it.

"He helped me an awful lot last year because he talks so much sense. Even when you are losing he finds the right things to say and that can boost the whole team.

"Like any captain he will be under pressure if the results go against him. But the rest of the squad will rally round and he has the ability to handle
it."

Armstrong had the benefit of Leslie's wisdom during last season's successful
Five Nations campaign.

And though the Wellington-born star has not played since he was stretchered off in Scotland's World Cup clash with South Africa in October, McGeechan is confident the centre will prove his fitness in a series of tough training sessions next week.

However, the coach has opted to name an extra back in the 23-man squad which will travel to Rome, just in case Leslie does not come through.

Glasgow Caledonians winger Alan Bulloch is the man most likely to be ditched from the squad when McGeechan names his starting line-up on Thursday, although whoever misses out will stay with the senior side rather than dropping into the A team.

The retirements of Armstrong, centre Alan Tait and prop Paul Burnell following the World Cup have created some interesting selection posers for McGeechan.

Scrum-half will be a particularly tight battle, with Bryan Redpath, who had been tipped as Armstrong's replacement, facing a fight for his place with Andy Nicol, who has recaptured top form with Glasgow Caledonians this term.

Back-row duo Martin Leslie and Gordon Simpson have been ordered to miss matches with the Super Districts this weekend to allow more time to recover from shoulder and chest problems respectively, although both should be fully recovered for Scotland's first visit to Italy since they were beaten in Treviso two years ago.

With Tom Smith virtually assured of the loose-head spot, McGeechan also has the choice of Mattie Stewart and David Hilton at tight-head prop.

But while form on the training ground next week will provide a pointer towards selection, McGeechan admits he already knows what his team is likely to be.

"I have a team in my mind that I want to work with and that is what I will try to develop in the sessions next week," he said.

"But we want to look tactically at what we can do with the whole group and see how we want to play knowing the strengths of Italy.

"We also have to take into account the new laws, particularly in the scrummage.

"It is important to have some experience at number eight and that is why I have picked Stuart Reid in preference to Cammy Mather."