WORCESTER Warriors have appointed Werner Swanepoel as their new captain.

He will lead the Sixways rugby club when they open their National One campaign on Saturday with a trip to arch-rivals Coventry.

The former South African Test star is the biggest name to arrive at Sixways during the close season.

After winning 20 full caps, the 29-year-old scrum-half is expected to be a key figure in Worcester's quest for promotion.

Sixways Director of Rugby John Brain said of the appointment: "It was one we thought about a great deal. There were a number of candidates, but we have been able to look over the guys during our nine weeks of preparation, and on our tour, and we decided Swanepoel was the best man for the job.

"He's a very experienced rugby player and a very experienced captain. Werner has strong leadership qualities.

"During our weeks of preparation he has come to the fore and developed into the natural leader of the group of players.

"I'm sure they and the club will get behind him."

Worcester, who have only prop Neil Lyman (knee) and flanker Richard Bates (shoulder) on the casualty list, today announced the following 22-strong squad for Saturday's opening encounter at Coun-don Road.

It is: James Brown, Craig Chal-mers, Christian Evans, Nnamdi Ezulike, Mark Gabey, Chris Garrard, Craig Gillies, Chris Hall, Ben Hinshelwood, Jim Jenner, Gareth Mason, Martin Morgan, David Officer, Adrian Olver, John O'Reilly, Chris Pearson, Gavin Pfister, Duncan Roke, Werner Swanepoel, Gary Trueman, Tony Windo, Dan Zaltzman.