EDINBURGH (AFP) - Glasgow hooker Gordon Bulloch was named as Scotland's captain for next month's four home Tests against Australia (twice), South Africa and Japan.
The games will see Bulloch, 28, lead his country for the first time since last year's World Cup match against the United States.
Scotland suffered two convincing defeats during their June tour of Australia, the World Cup finalists winning 35-15 and 34-13.
But Bulloch was upbeat about the prospect of facing the Wallabies again.
"We've all been working really hard both at national squad sessions and with our clubs.
"Captaincy gives you new challenges to rise to. We always work as a team - everybody is responsible - but being captain and having that added responsibility is a challenge that I'm especially looking forward to.
"Last time I captained Scotland was against the USA during the World Cup and it offered a totally different set of challenges - the weather to name only one," added Bulloch who replaces utility back Chris Paterson as skipper.
"It was tough going in the heat of the Aussie summer, but you know, it's swings and roundabouts in world rugby.
"Australia have now got to deal with November in Scotland and temperatures that they'll definitely not be used to."
Glasgow-born Bulloch was particularly looking forward to the second game against Australia on November 20 at the city's Hampden Park ground, best known as Scotland's national football stadium although it has previously staged rugby internationals
"The fact that one of our matches will be played in Glasgow adds even more to what will already be a great occasion for me personally as it's my home city.
"The home crowd can always make a huge difference to the atmosphere of a game and I know the Hampden crowd won't let us down."
Williams added: "Gordon is an influential and inspirational figure both on and off the pitch. The squad really respond to him.
"I had indicated at the start of last season that I intended to rotate the captaincy and I felt that now was the right time for Gordon to take over the mantle."
Scotland begin their international season at their traditional Edinburgh home of Murrayfield with a Test against Australia on November 6.
They then play Japan a week later at McDiarmid Park in Perth, the home ground of St Johnstone football club.
South Africa are Scotland's final autumn opponents when they arrive for a November 27 Test at Murrayfield.
10/25/2004 - 12:02 GMT - AFP