A RUGBY star whose Greenock roots helped him earn a place in the Scotland squad has been handed the national captaincy for next month’s autumn series – with his younger brother also securing his first call-up.

Sione Tuipulotu has been appointed to the role ahead of four tests against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia at Murrayfield.

The Glasgow Warriors centre, 27, is joined in the squad by 23-year-old brother Mosese, who plays for Edinburgh.

Both players qualify for Scotland through their Greenock-born grandmother.

Sione made his debut for the national side against Tonga three years ago.

In an interview with Scottish Rugby, he confirmed he feels ‘ready for the job’ having gathered ‘valuable experience with Glasgow and Scotland’.

Sione Tuipulotu (Image: Adam Davy/PA)

Sione said: “I’m so proud, and I know how much this will mean to my family back home, especially my gran.

“I haven’t told her yet, but I’m looking forward to telling her when the news comes out.

“I haven’t really told any of my family yet except my dad, just because I want it to be more of surprise for my family and also because my mum’s coming over. I feel like the stars are kind of aligning for me and I’m really excited for it.

“It’ll be my son’s first game, and also my mum’s first game at Murrayfield, so it’s going to be special.”

Sione said he felt ‘blessed’ to be serving as captain as Mosese joins the squad, describing the situation as a ‘fairytale’.

He told Scottish Rugby: “The most emotional phone call I’ve ever had was Gregor phoning me to tell me I’ll be Scotland captain, but when he phoned to say my brother would be included was a pretty close second.

“We’re going to be sharing a training environment, and I really want to challenge him to be better along these four weeks.

“To be honest, we always joke about this but my gran back home, her favourite’s always been Mosese.

“I think he was the naughtiest so he spent the most time hiding out at her house so my dad couldn’t get to him.

“I know my gran will be so proud of him and I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.”

Mosese is one of five uncapped players included in the Gregor Townsend's 45-man squad, with Alex Samuel, Tom Jordan, Ben Muncaster and Freddy Douglas also being named.