Guinness Prem - Borthwick made Sarries captain

Eurosport - Wed, 15 Jul 17:15:00 2009

Saracens have appointed England skipper Steve Borthwick as club captain for the 2009/10 Guinness Premiership season.

Steve Borthwick - Saracens - 0

Lock Borthwick (pictured middle) shared the duties last campaign with now-retired Andy Farrell and will this season be supported by loose forward Wikus van Heerden as vice captain.

"Steve Borthwick personifies everything on which we want to model this club - his integrity, work ethic and leadership qualities make him a perfect choice as captain," said Saracens new director of rugby Brendan Venter.

"Wikus van Heerden has the same qualities and we're lucky to have a number of players within the squad who have captained their country, club or province but we couldn't ask for two better players than Steve and Wikus to lead the side."

One of Borthwick's first duties will be to develop the dressing room atmosphere at Saracens after the inconsiderate way the club released a number of players last season.

The under-performing club will also be looking to vastly improve on their ninth place in last season's Premiership table.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

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