And that is not just the vote of confidence you would expect from a coach in his new men - in this case Rob Wainwright, the new captain, Michael Dods, the Northampton winger who will take the kicking duties, and Rowen Shepherd, of Melrose, who will play full-back."The set-up has changed in the last 18 months," Johnston said "We have a squad of 46 and a lot of competition for places. I'm not saying we don't need an inspirational captain, but at times in the past the captain has assumed so much importance, particularly because of deficiencies elsewhere, that it has become almost unbearable. I think we have a higher standard of players now than at other times, so it should be easier for Rob."I don't think there's an issue with the captain, but in the playing context, if someone with 61 caps goes, then whoever you bring in won't have an awful lot of experience. While Shepherd, for instance, did a sound job for the A-team last season, that's as much as he's been able to do."Gavin, though, did not become a world-class player overnight," Johnston said, and then stopped and remembered Hastings' debut, in 1986 against France, a match he played in himself "Well, he kicked the six penalties which won the game. Maybe he did."The captain: Rob WainwrightI'm takingover abetter sideI'M not really thinking about the captaincy from the point of view of replacing Gavin - people say there are big shoes to be filled and that sort of thing, but I think there's enough pressure in the job I'm taking without worrying about that.

Gavin, you must remember, had difficult phases in his career. He had a long run of defeats to get through; hopefully I won't have that. I'm lucky, though, in that the side I'm taking over I think is better than the one that he took over as captain. We've probably now got the most exciting young back division that Scotland has had in a long time.Gavin rang me up to congratulate me, but we speak fairly regularly anyway because we're mates. But I haven't gone to him for advice, though that's not saying that I won't do. There are certain things you can get advice on - who to thank at the post-match dinner, that sort of thing! - but I really think the captaincy is something I'm going to have to evolve into.

You can't try to be like another captain; you can't really say what sort of a captain you want to be. I haven't even thought yet what I'll be saying in the changing-room before the match because that depends on how preparation goes in the build-up to it. On the field, though, there are aspects - motivational properties, tactical properties - that I will obviously be thinking about as the game approaches.I haven't captained an awful lot recently. I captained Scotland B and the Penguins and the Baa-baas on tour, but apart from that it's back to schooldays.

I have, though, been pack leader on and off over the last year and a half and so it is just a question of spreading my responsibility a bit further. But as you become a more senior member of the team, as the players above you drop off, you take on more responsibility anyway.The coaches have also been helping me at the helm by giving me as much responsibility as possible in training sessions. That'll help me more when it comes to captaining on the actual day.The full-back: Rowen ShepherdI was ableto play myown gameI SPOKE to Gavin last week. Melrose were playing his side, Watsonians, and he actually congratulated me on my call-up in the middle of the game. I had another quick chat with him at the end of the match and I may just give him a call this week - just to see what he can pass on.I think I'm a similar full-back in certain aspects.

I feel my defence is my strength and I'm confident under the high ball. I'm certainly not trying to be like Gavin or anything, but the team are trying to expand so I'll be expected to be up and involved which I suppose will be similar to the way he played. I'll be trying to put my wingers away as much as possible and after a while, maybe see what's available to me.This is something that David Johnston encouraged when he was Scotland A coach last year. He wanted people to have a go and he encouraged me to get up in attack and if anything loose came my way, to counter-attack. I was doing that increasingly as the season progressed.Having the full season with Scotland A last year certainly helped. It helped in that there was no expectation of ousting the player in my position in the senior side - in this case, obviously, Gavin. Because I was not going to displace him - barring injury, that is - I was under no pressure and that helped me find my feet at that level and let me play my own game.I was totally thrilled to be picked.