FRENCHMAN Raphael Ibanez will succeed Lawrence Dallaglio as captain of Guinness Premiership champions Wasps next season.
Ibanez, who led France to the 1999 World Cup final, won 98 Test caps and joined Wasps in 2005. He takes over from England World Cup winner Dallaglio, who retired in May after Wasps beat Leicester at Twickenham to land the Premiership title.
Wasps
rugby director Ian McGeechan said: "Raf has been an immense captain for France throughout his international career, and one of the great players among the Wasps squad throughout the last three seasons.
"The decision to appoint him as club captain was an easy one. What Raf has achieved, his character and the way he operates is first-class, and there is no more deserving a man for the job.
"With the departure of Lawrence Dallaglio, there are of course some big boots to fill. But Raf is one of the most highly-regarded players in the professional game who so easily commands the respect of all those around him."
Ibanez, 35, added:
"When Ian spoke to me about the captaincy, my first thought went to Lawrence Dallaglio.
"He is a great leader and an absolute legend of this game. Nobody will ever replace him – ever – and for me it has been a great honour to play alongside him ."
The full article contains 223 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
