Dewsbury Rams Head Coach Glenn Morrison has appointed Ryan Hepworth and Paul Sykes as joint captains for the upcoming campaign.
Former England international Sykes joins the Rams ahead of the new season from Featherstone Rovers, whilst Hepworth will begin his third campaign with the club in 2016.
Sykes previously had spells in Super League with Bradford Bulls, Harlequins and Wakefield Wildcats, whilst Hepworth is vastly experienced in the division from his time with Sheffield Eagles.
Morrison’s side finished the regular season in 6th place in the Kingstone Press Championship and were runners-up in the Championship Shield behind Featherstone.
“As a coaching staff we had a long think about who we wanted to captain the side and lead us forward,” Morrison told the club’s official website.
“There have been a few changes this year we have a senior player group that the whole playing staff voted to appoint, and I think everybody in the team had Paul Sykes and Ryan Hepworth as part of their selections.
“Heppy has been a great leader, especially in the forwards, during the three years he’s been at the club.
“Sykesy has come in with plenty of experience, and he’s a local lad who wants to play for Dewsbury.
“He’s come in and earned everybody’s respect, and as an 80-minute player who’ll always be there for us on the pitch.
“We have a good senior leadership group within the playing squad,” Morrison added, “but these are the two who we all agreed that we wanted to take us forward.
“Ryan and Paul are both honoured to take the role and I’m confident they’ll work well together.
Dewsbury have also re-signed hooker Ryan Wright, who became one of Morrison’s first signings in 2012, after his release from Doncaster.
Wright featured 29 times in his first spell with the Rams, scoring two tries.
