Edinburgh's Chris Paterson will captain Scotland in the opening match of the RBS Six Nations Championship.
It had been assumed that Gordon was the automatic choice to succeed Bryan Redpath having accompanied Scotland coach Matt Williams to London on Wednesday for the launch of 2004 Six Nations championship. Gordon spoke to The Scotsman about the upcoming tournament and teh Scotland captaincy. You can read the article here
But Williams explained that he had been asked to nominate a senior player for the event several weeks ago.
"Gordon went down to the launch with me as a senior player. I was quite up front about that. Furthermore I was certainly not going to announce the Scotland captain in England."
The new Scotland coach views the role of captain and vice captain in managerial terms.
"I see it as partnership," he said. "There are times when Gordon will captain the team. Underneath them there is a group of senior players who will be part of the leadership team.
"I will encourage this group to take control on the field and of actions off the field. Chris Paterson and Gordon Bulloch are outstanding players. They have the respect of all the players in the squad and are sure of their positions in the team," added Williams.
Glasgow's Cammy Mather, Andy Henderson and Dan Parks are also included in the squad.
Scotland Squad
Backs
Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby)
Chris Cusiter (The Borders)
Simon Danielli (Bath Rugby)
Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors)
Ben Hinshelwood (Worcester)
Brendan Laney (Edinburgh Rugby)
Derrick Lee (Edinburgh Rugby)
Gareth Morton (The Borders)
Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)
Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN
Tom Philip (Edinburgh Rugby)
Nikki Walker (The Borders)
Simon Webster (Edinburgh Rugby)
Forwards
Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow Warriors) VICE CAPTAIN
Simon Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)
Bruce Douglas (The Borders)
Stuart Grimes (Newcastle Falcons)
Nathan Hines (Edinburgh Rugby)
Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby)
Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes)
Cameron Mather (Glasgow Warriors)
Scott Murray (Edinburgh Rugby)
Rob Russell (Saracens)
Tom Smith (Northampton Saints)
Simon Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby)
Jason White (Sale Sharks)