Edinburgh Rugby head coach Michael Bradley has named 25-year-old scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw as club captain for the new Celtic League season.

Laidlaw was one of Edinburgh's most consistent performers last season, splitting his game time between the pivotal positions of flyhalf and scrumhalf with considerable aplomb, earning the recognition of his peers as the players' player of the 2010/11 season.

A lively and skilful scrumhalf, Laidlaw won his second cap as a replacement in Scotland's 10-6 win over Ireland on Saturday and has played 86 times for the capital club since joining from Jed-Forest in 2006.

Laidlaw is no stranger to captaincy, leading the club four times last season as well as Scotland A in their wins over the Ireland Wolfhounds (32-13) and Italy A (11-3) earlier this year, before capping off arguably his most successful rugby season with selection in Andy Robinson's provisional World Cup squad.

Laidlaw will be supported by last season's captain, Roddy Grant, who will assume the role of vice-captain.

Laidlaw commented: "It's a great honour to be named as captain. It's a great responsibility and one I'm looking forward to taking on. I certainly like to captain the side by leading by example and will do my talking on the field for Edinburgh Rugby next season.

"This will be my sixth season at the club and I've enjoyed becoming the player I am today. I've enjoyed the hard work and feel that my strength and speed in particular have improved and game management has come on massively.

"At the moment I'm concentrating fully on the Rugby World Cup and working hard to make it to New Zealand so I can showcase what I can do for Scotland and return to Edinburgh as captain.

Bradley said: "Greig Laidlaw, while being a quality player, reflects a number of the key values that I want to see at Edinburgh Rugby.

"He's hard working, leads by example, is constantly looking to improve, is a team player and he has the respect of all of the playing staff, management and supporters," he added.

Bradley explained that the leadership duo of Laidlaw and Grant would lead the squad by example this season.

He said: "Greig [Laidlaw] and our vice-captain Roddy Grant reflect very positively on what we are trying to do at the club. Under their leadership, particularly the example they set as professionals, the club will grow and prosper.

"My preference as a coach is that our captain, and players that are in positions to lead, do so by example. I've always found that’s the best way of creating a winning environment and producing positive results," added the Edinburgh coach.