Tuesday 13 October 2015 13:24, UK
Forward Craig Kopczak will captain Wales in the European Championship, head coach John Kear has announced.
The 28-year-old former Bradford front-rower, who is leaving Huddersfield at the end of the season to join Salford, has taken over the armband from Widnes' Lloyd White, who was forced to miss the tournament in order to undergo knee surgery.
Wigan prop Ben Flower, who was infamously sent off during the 2014 Super League Grand Final, was also considered for the role but it will be Kopczak who leads his country out in the opening match of the tournament when Wales face reigning champions Scotland in Wrexham on Friday night.
Kopczak, who previously captained his country at the 2013 World Cup, says he is hoping to lead by example.
"I'm immensely proud to be asked again," Kopczak said.
"I captained Wales in the last World Cup so hopefully I can lead from the front with my experience and show some dominance.
"It's been an enjoyable camp so far and long may it continue. Our aim is to go out there and win the trophy. I think we're in with a big chance of doing that.
"We've a lot stronger side this time around as has been mentioned by John previously. We've got the talent there so you never know what will happen."
Kear, whose first game in charge of Wales was in last year's Championship, says Kopczak was the natural choice for the role.
"He's been in camp from minute one and already established himself as a leader and he's captained the team before so we're happy to go with him once again," he said.
