Chris Robshaw will captain England for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield despite only having played for his country once before.
Robshaw earned his one and only cap against Argentina in 2009 but the 25-year-old has been handed the armband by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster after being impressed by the leadership skills shown by the flanker.
Tom Wood had been expected to skipper the side against Scotland but a toe injury has ruled him out of Saturday's match and Lancaster believes they have an able replacement in Robshaw.
"We have a strong leadership group and I have been very impressed with the way they have all stepped up so far," he said.
"Chris is a key member of that group and has shown with Harlequins and when I have worked with him in the Saxons that he can lead a team tactically and passionately.
"I am delighted that he has got this chance at the highest level and I know it will be a very proud moment for him, his club, family and friends when he leads England out at Murrayfield on Saturday."
Robshaw was named Guinness Premiership Player of the Year in 2009 and a short time later he made his first appearance for England in the defeat to the Pumas.
Despite not featuring for his country again, the Harlequins skipper has been chosen ahead of established players and he is ready for the challenge.
"It's a huge honour and a very proud day - hopefully one that will live in my memory for a long time to come. Thanks to everyone who has helped me, especially Quins," he said.
"There's a lot of other leaders in the group and they have been great since we met up. It's not about myself because there are six or seven guys around me who all have massive roles to play, whether that's bossing scrums, line-outs, defence...
"Stuart, Graham (Rowntree, scrum coach) and Andy (Farrell, backs coach) have given us the game plan an it's up to us to get it across to the other players to drive the standards and the squad forward in the right way."