Wednesday 24 August 2016 15:57, UK
Bath flanker Guy Mercer has been named club captain for the 2016/17 season.
Mercer, a boyhood Bath fan, replaces Stuart Hooper, who has been forced to retire from the game because of injury.
England international fly-half George Ford has been named as vice-captain.
Mercer, 26, came through the club's academy and made his senior debut in 2011 and has gone onto make 100 appearances for the club.
"This is a huge honour for me," Mercer told the club's official website. "I grew up watching Bath, so to play for them was always a huge ambition of mine, and now to have been asked to lead the players makes me incredibly proud.
"I'm really excited to be part of building the culture here at the club, and moving forward as a group. There's a lot to look forward to, and the players can't wait to get the season started."
Todd Blackadder, the club's Director of Rugby, said: "Guy is a terrific player who knows Bath Rugby inside and out, which is an invaluable resource in a captain.
"He works tremendously hard both on and off the pitch and it's that work ethic, combined with his personality, which has earned him the respect of his team and the supporters.
"We're fortunate to have a strong core of leaders within the squad who will also play their part in what will be a big season for us, which is very pleasing from a coach's perspective."
