Wigan Warriors have named loose forward Sean O’Loughlin as captain for the 2011 season.
The defending Super League champions have gone back to having just one skipper after appointing a leadership team of five senior players last season. O’Loughlin, who has captained the side for the last five years, was a member of the group.
O’Loughlin said: (quote) It is always an honour to captain Wigan and I am looking forward to the season ahead. (end quote)
Head coach Michael Maguire said: (quote) Having sat down with the leadership group to discuss the matter together, we decided to have a single captain in Sean. Lockers is seen clearly to lead from the front and was the unanimous choice to be made captain. The group worked really well last season to help me effect the changes in performance throughout the squad that were needed in our first year together and, further, gave a number of senior players the experience of leading the team on match-day. However, the Wigan squad now know that it is the responsibility of all the players in a game to take charge and, whilst we will continue to use the leadership group in training, Lockers is seen clearly to lead from the front and was the unanimous choice to be made captain for the coming season. (end quote)
O’Loughlin is Wigan’s longest serving player and has made 238 senior appearances in nine years at the club.
