Scarlets flanker John Barclay has been identified by Scotland as the man to lead them into the 2019 World Cup.
The back row forward has missed the last month of the season for his region due to concussion, but is expected to return for the autumn internationals.
Barclay suffered two years in the international wilderness after moving to Wales from Glasgow four years ago, but has captained his country in their last six Tests after taking over from Greig Laidlaw when the scrum-half suffered injury.
Now, Scotland assistant coach Matt Taylor has said Barclay should lead Scotland in Japan in 2019 – in part due to his ability to sweet talk referees, a quality of Sam Warburton’s often cited in the past by Wales coach Warren Gatland about his former skipper.
Taylor – the only survivor of the Vern Cotter coaching team to remain under new head coach Gregor Townsend – said: “We’re just lucky that John is with us.
“He has played really well over the last couple of years and I’m hopeful he can play for at least another couple of years and lead us into the World Cup.
“We are really privileged to have him in the team. John is an excellent leader, brings a lot of experience and gives guys a lot of confidence.
“I think the way he talks to referees is excellent because it builds a really good rapport. If you look at all the really good rugby teams around the world, their captains all build good relationships with referees.
“They get them onside and know how to talk to them, when to push things and when to pull back. I think John is very good at that.”
Barclay, 31, looked to have fallen out of favour with Scotland when he left Glasgow for Llanelli in 2013. But his form over the past two seasons provoked a re-think in his homeland and he was given the armband during last season’s Six Nations.
It capped a resurgent spell for the openside flanker who was also a key player for the Scarlets as they stormed to the Guinness Pro12 title last season, before he captained Scotland in the South Seas in the summer.
The Scots have no qualms about picking players based outside the country, or even making them captain, and Barclay is under no pressure to return home.
Taylor added: “Some coaches see more in a player than another coach. From my point of view, John has always been an excellent player. He adds to the way we play, particularly now.
“We try to move the ball, but he is also a very good defensive, destructive player as well.”
Townsend named 10 uncapped players in his squad for the autumn Test series where Scotland will face Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
There was no place for Edinburgh flanker John Hardie, who has been suspended by both club and country after reports of alleged cocaine use.
But the squad does include former Wales U20 and Cardiff Blues flanker Luke Hamilton, who has switched allegiance to the Scots on the back of impressing at Leicester Tigers.
