Seymour takes over as Sharks captain (From Messenger Newspapers)

Seymour takes over as Sharks captain

9:20am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Sport

SALE Sharks director of rugby Bryan Redpath has appointed David Seymour as captain, with Sam Tuitupou as vice captain.

Seymour has previous experience of skippering Sale Sharks, having led the side at the start of last season when former All Black Tuitupou was unavailable.

Redpath believes Seymour is the perfect man for the job.

"From watching Sale last year I could see even before getting here you could see how committed David is. He's also a very smart rugby player and as flanker he's around some very key people in the game," said Redpath.

"Playing at seven he's always going to be around the contact area, he's always going to be around that first breakdown.We need someone in there who is going to be close to the referees and be able to give some feedback.

"He leads by example in most things he does and he's a great role model for both the other senior professionals and all of the younger guys at the club.

"Sammy will be vice captain and he he's more the type of guy who leads by example. He's such a tough competitor and he's another person who is truly committed to the cause.

"We've got a lot of leaders such as Mark Cueto, Nick Macleod, Danny Cipriani, Dwayne Peel and what you need is some who leads by example and some who leads by thought, and we've got that in abundance. Dave gives us knowledge and input around the referee and Sammy gives us the impetus in terms of going forward.

"With them both we have a great balance in terms of people who can lead the club forward."

For his part, 27-year-old Seymour - who is about to embark on his fourth season at the club - admitted he was hugely honoured to follow in the footsteps of Sam Tuitupou, James Gaskell , Dean Schofield and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

He said: "It's a massive honour especially when you look at the strength of players we have in the squad. It was a great honour and privilege to be asked to do the role and I am very excited about the prospect of captaining the side next season.

"It probably helps that I filled in as captain at the start of last season when Sammy was unavailable for the first few weeks. It was the first time I'd really captained a side and it was a great experience and I was very lucky to have great help from the likes of Mark Cueto, Nick Macleod and Dwayne Peel.

" It helps massively having guys of that calibre around me. To be selected for the role when there are such guys in the mix is a huge thing for me personally.The strength of experience and personality we have in the squad means that I think will have a lot of leaders out there and I'd be stupid not to take on board their views and experience.

"It's a big responsibility and big role but I will just try to get out there and play the way I always have. Last season was a good one for the club and I felt I went well but that's been and gone and all the focus now is about the next nine months ahead of us.

"We're a young team and one that is still learning but I have every confidence in the guys we have in the squad."