Danny Care shouts during England's World Cup warm-up game against France at Twickenham© David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

Harlequins have announced that Danny Care will captain the club this season, replacing Joe Marler in the role.

Scrum-half Care has become an integral player at Quins since moving to Twickenham Stoop in 2006. The England international has racked up over 180 appearances for the club and has scored more than 50 tries during his time in southwest London.

Care told Harlequins' official website: "I was incredibly proud and honoured when Conor [O'Shea] asked me to lead the club. Since I moved to Quins nine years ago it has felt like home to me and I want to repay that by doing the captaincy role justice, like so many other great captains who have done the job before me.

"It will be great to have the experience of other leaders like Chris [Robshaw], Joe [Marler], Nick Easter and Nick Evans as well as Mike [Brown] around me, who have all been at the club for so long. I know they will make my job a lot easier and support me in the role both on and off the field."

Quins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea said making Care captain was a statement of intention to challenge for the Aviva Premiership title.

"We are lucky to have a number of players who are natural leaders but in Danny we have a player who, to me, epitomises how we play and what we are known for as a team," O'Shea said.

"In making him captain we are making a statement as to how we intend to play and challenge for the title again. I have watched Danny grow from a boy to a man, learning lessons along the way and he is now ready to take all that learning and apply it in a leadership role.

"Danny will have the support of everyone, and in Nick Evans, a player who will lead the club whilst he is away. I have no doubt this responsibility will add hugely to Danny as a player and he will look to, and have, the support of all the leaders we have developed within our squad over the years."