Rugby: Mike Blair happy to be Scots' leading man

When Scotland set off later today for a two-Test visit to Argentina, the Edinburgh scrum half – he made his debut on a trip to North America in 2002 – will have the unique distinction of being the most capped player in the party with 62 appearances.

"On any previous trip I've been accompanied by the likes of Chris Paterson or Nathan Hines so this will be something different," says Blair by way of indicating he is ready to take on any responsibility incumbent in his venerable role.

In that regard, Blair is happy to pass on experiences arising from being part of the Scotland side which won in Argentina two years ago. "Of all the places to silence a home crowd Argentina is right up there. The quieter it gets the more you know you are winning as I discovered in 2008.

"In one Test we were camped on our line for about 20 minutes when Dan Parks intercepted and we scored through Graeme Morrison at the other end. All of a sudden, from fans jumping about on football-style terraces, singing and even barbecuing, there was silence.

"We can draw on that and the younger players should be aware of what it can be like. Mind you, the atmosphere can change just as quickly but it does take a bit of getting used to."

In 2009 Blair embarked on a six-week trip to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions so this sojourn registers as a long weekend in comparison to the crusades. While glad to have earned his Lions spurs Blair is delighted to be back on Scotland tour duty among familiar faces, especially having been prepared by Tuesday's 24-5 win over a Japan Select at Murrayfield.

While some critics have rounded on Scotland for not posting a more emphatic victory Blair is keen to put matters into perspective, remarking: "The Japanese were particularly effective at the breakdown which is an area where the Argentinians will be strong. They showed us what we are going in to and that will be useful. Argentina will have a very strong kicking game but also plenty of ability to run the ball through the likes of Ignacio Mieres and Felipe Contepomi."

In fact, Argentina will be playing their first Test since winning 9-6 at Murrayfield last November but the Scots are also going into action on the back of a win having signed off the Six Nations by defeating Ireland in Dublin.

According to Blair that success cannot be underestimated especially as Scotland will share a World Cup section with Argentina in 2011.

"This can be a building block towards the World Cup because the more teams can demonstrate an ability to win away from home the better," says Blair. "We have set a benchmark for intensity and we know if we allow standards to drop as we did in parts against the Japanese in midweek then we won't be competitive in Argentina.

"Overall, though, that was a good hit out at Murrayfield this week. In some ways it was equivalent to a pre-season match; we were under orders not to kick for the first 20 minutes and teams would never play that way in a proper Test.

"Of course, we will have to be more clinical but if we had won by 100 points the opposition would have been accused of being sub-standard.

"Hopefully it was an exercise which will stand us in good stead over the next few weeks."

Meanwhile, Scotland will face opponents virtually at full strength apart from stand off Juan Martin Hernandez who is recovering from back surgery.