Dean Schofield enjoyed two seasons at Toulon © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Richard Hill | Chris Pennell | Dean Schofield

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Sale Sharks | Toulon | Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have announced that Dean Schofield will captain them in the 2012-13 Aviva Premiership season.

Schofield is a new arrival at the Warriors after joining them from Toulon at the end of last season. He is a former skipper of Sale after he took the armband during the 2009-10 season and with two England caps to his name, he will look to bring a wealth of experience to the Sixways side.

"Dean is a fantastic player and from his time at Sale Sharks and Toulon, where I know from people at those clubs, I also know he is an exceptional leader," head coach Richard Hill said. "On the field he adds a physical presence and power and will look to lead from the front. Off the field he will be superb ambassador for this club.

"I have spoken to Joe El-Abd, who was my captain at Bristol and who played with Dean at Toulon, and he told me how much of a leader he is. He is someone who will bring this squad together and ensure we all push together.

"Dean is someone who demands respect as a player. He is physical, an intimidating character and I know he is someone who will have a strong relationship with the players. He has also arrived at the club with a fresh perspective and when you are trying to change things you want someone from the outside who can start from the beginning and make an impression."

Chris Pennell was the skipper for the Warriors last term and he will now focus solely on his fullback play and Hill paid tribute to his former skipper. "I spoke to Chris over the summer about the captaincy and asked him if he felt he should concentrate on his own game and making sure he hits top form," Hill said. "Whilst he has always been proud to be captain and could have continued in this role, he acknowledged the time was right to look at his own form, he made that decision himself and he deserves huge credit for that.

"He has been extremely unlucky over the last two seasons he has been captain. But I still think he will be a good captain and his time could come again. Now he has made the decision to concentrate on his own game 100% and we look forward to seeing him hit his very best form for the Warriors."