Ross Ford yesterday insisted the only way for Scotland to gain England's respect would be to outplay them in next weekend's Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson last week accused England of being "arrogant" during the sides' World Cup tie in October.
Robinson and his players felt disrespected by the antics of their arch-rivals, who sealed a last-gasp victory in the decisive Pool B encounter in New Zealand.
Ford, named on Tuesday as Scotland's captain for the RBS 6 Nations, said: "It is what it is. For me, the focus now is about earning respect from teams by our performances. That starts from us delivering on the pitch. That's the only way. Now the team moves forward."
Ford will lead his side out at a packed Murrayfield a week on Saturday determined to avenge that World Cup defeat and become the first Scotland captain to lift the Calcutta Cup for four years.
"As a kid, you always want to lead your country out and win," said the Edinburgh hooker. "It doesn't change now that I'm here. I always go into every game looking to win it and looking to perform well. I have to make sure that I go on the pitch and I do my job and perform under pressure at the right times."
Ford, appointed captain in the absence of Kelly Brown who was ruled out of the tournament through injury, refuted suggestions he was not natural leadership material – a point Robinson was quick to address yesterday.
Asked whether he needed to become more vocal in the dressing room, Robinson replied: "You've not been in our dressing room. Ross is actually pretty vocal in that dressing room, and makes some clear points."
For his part, Ford said: "I'll talk when I need to. The boys around me have a lot of experience and a lot of good things to say and they've been in that position before, so they can help me out. I don't think I need to speak any more than I usually do.
"I'm very much about leading by example. If I feel something needs saying that will take the group forward, I'm quite happy to say it."
One thing Ford will not be doing is indulging in mind games, such as Scotland's slow walk on to the field that famously preceded their grand slam-clinching win over England in 1990 . "Just get on to the pitch and get it done. That's my thinking. Easy."
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