Leeds Rhinos have named Kruise Leeming as their new captain for 2022 with Ash Handley appointed as the hooker's right-hand man.
Leeming joined the Rhinos from Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2020 campaign and quickly established himself as a key player.
The 26-year-old is coming off the back of a stellar season that featured inclusion in the Super League Dream Team and an England debut.
Leeming takes over from Matt Prior and is set to lead the Rhinos for the first time in an official capacity when Hull FC visit Headingley on Sunday for Tom Briscoe's testimonial.
Leeds head coach Richard Agar said: "We are blessed as a team with a number of experienced leaders across our squad.
"Kruise is certainly one of those and I know it means a lot to him to be awarded the captaincy.
"He is a consummate professional who always looks to get the best out of himself and the team.
"I know he will do a tremendous job as captain and I look forward to seeing him lead the team out this season."
Leeming has vowed to continue doing the things that made him the standout candidate for the captaincy.
"I am really proud," he said. "I have so much passion for the club and our supporters.
"I am honoured to get the captaincy. It is a massive team effort and I am looking forward to doing something special with this group of players.
"In professional sport, one of the biggest accolades is that your peers think you can do the job.
"We have a great group of leaders and even though I have the C next to my name, it is a collective effort.
"I am going to keep being me; train really hard and care about the club and my own performance.
"It won’t alter my game but it has put a massive smile on my face."
While Handley has been handed the vice-captaincy, there is still a role for Prior in the leadership group.
Agar said: "I met with Matt at the end of last season and have continued those conversations.
"He did an outstanding job for us last season as the figurehead of our team but I know he is keen to lead by example with his efforts on the field and is happy to be part of our leadership group supporting the team in 2022.
“Ash Handley has developed into a key voice in our dressing room and on the field and his partnership as vice-captain with Kruise will be a perfect blend between the two. They both epitomise the standards and behaviours we expect from our team.
"I agree with Kruise’s comments that we have so many leaders in our dressing room and any successful team is defined by the leadership within the group and the culture of the club, and we have built a strong foundation on that basis to move forward this season."
