Head Coach Richard Hill has today named Dean Schofield as the new captain of Worcester Warriors.
Former England international Schofield joined the Warriors from French giants RC Toulon this summer and has now been handed the captaincy as the club prepares for the forthcoming Aviva Premiership season.
Destructive second row Schofield has always been a favourite with fans throughout his career for a no-nonsense approach to the game and all-round commitment on the field.
Manchester-born Schofield, who is 6ft 6in tall and weighs 20 stone, has a huge reputation in the English top-flight, having played for Sale Sharks between 2001 and 2010 and featuring in 162 games for the club. He was named Sale captain during the 2009/10 season.
The 33-year-old made his England debut against South Africa in the summer tour prior to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He was also part of the England Saxons squad in the 2009 Churchill Cup, coming off the bench in the final.
Schofield has vast experience in both the Aviva Premiership and European rugby and Hill believes he is now the right man to lead the club forward.
He said: “Dean is a fantastic player and from his time at Sale Sharks and Toulon, where I know from people at those clubs, I also know he is an exceptional leader.
“On the field he adds a physical presence and power and will look to lead from the front. Off the field he will be superb ambassador for this club.
“I have spoken to Joe El-Abd, who was my captain at Bristol and who played with Dean at Toulon, and he told me how much of a leader he is. He is someone who will bring this squad together and ensure we all push together.
“Dean is someone who demands respect as a player. He is physical, an intimidating character and I know he is someone who will have a strong relationship with the players.
“He has also arrived at the club with a fresh perspective and when you are trying to change things you want someone from the outside who can start from the beginning and make an impression.”
Hill also paid tribute to Chris Pennell, who has captained the club for the last two seasons, for the manner in which he has led the club.
“I spoke to Chris over the summer about the captaincy and asked him if he felt he should concentrate on his own game and making sure he hits top form,” added Hill.
“Whilst he has always been proud to be captain and could have continued in this role, he acknowledged the time was right to look at his own form. He made that decision himself and he deserves huge credit for that.
“He has been extremely unlucky with injuries over the last two seasons he has been captain. But I still think he will be a good captain and his time could come again. Now he has made the decision to concentrate on his own game 100 percent and we look forward to seeing him hit his very best form for the Warriors.”
“Dean is a fantastic player and from his time at Sale Sharks and Toulon, where I know people at those clubs, I also know he is an exceptional leader…"