Influential back rower Dave Bargent has been appointed at 1st xv Captain, and will be supported by Hooker Tom Emery as Vice Captain. Former Captain, Mark Wathes is to become 'Club captain' in a wider role encompassing roles on and primarily off the pitch.

Thoughts behind the thinking come from Head Coach Jon Hill:

'Upon reflecting on this season, we realised that there has been an awful lot of pressure on Ross Morshead as captain in what has been a tough season. At the start of the season we had Stuart Lowe and Jack Downie as vice captains, but Stu has been injured for large parts of the season, and Jack left to go travelling in October. Without the formal appointment of any replacements, and in what has been a difficult season on the pitch, there has been huge pressure on the Captain to keep morale and spirits high at pressure moments. Undoubtedly this has taken its toll on the Role of Captain. Ross has done an amazing job over the last three years as Captain, and has absolutely, without doubt, gelled the team together and been instrumental in our rise up the league ladder.

'Dave Bargent, Tom Emery and Mark Wathes have all captained the side in recent weeks as we looked at possible options moving forward. All three have distinct leadership qualities,and we believe that with all three working together with specific roles,we can cover a range of eventualities and form a very strong leadership group that can support each other and share ideas. All three players are highly respected from all players, coaches, members and supporters and have absolutely bought into what Exmouth RFC is all about and what we are trying to achieve.'

Photo (left to right) newly appointed Leadership group of Club Captain Mark Wathes, 1st xv Captain Dave Bargent, and 1st xv Vice Captain Tom Emery.

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