Luke Watson will captain Bath in the 2010-11 season © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Luke Watson

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby | England | South Africa

Bath have handed the captain's armband to Luke Watson prior to the forthcoming Aviva Premiership season.

The former Springbok No.8, 26, was a revelation following his introduction into a struggling Bath outfit midway through last season, helping them to a surprise top four finish before a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Leicester.

Watson has previous captaincy experience with Western Province and the Stormers and succeeds another former Bok, scrum-half Michael Claassens, in the role. Claassens stepped down at the end of last season and while Watson was offered the captaincy by head coach Steve Meehan he preferred to put it to a vote so as to ensure dressing room harmony.

"Michael took the team through some difficult times and laid an incredibly good foundation for us," he said. "It is a big honour and privilege, but it is also a big responsibility.

"Having spoken with Steve, Michael and a lot of the other players, we have taken our time in coming to the decision and making sure that everyone is happy. It is very much about the team, about Bath, about the bigger picture. We never want to be too focused on individuals and that must resonate through every decision we make."

Watson, who has previously courted controversy in South Africa with his views on transformation in rugby, impressed Meehan throughout last season. His coach insisted that he 'ticked all the boxes' as captain.

"The players were very appreciative of being asked their opinion," Meehan said. "There are a number of things that have to be taken into consideration when choosing a captain and for me Luke ticked all those boxes. But, when you are new to a club, you have to earn the respect of the players, you have to train hard, you have to play hard and I believe Luke has done that."

Watson will also be able to call on support from 'section leaders' David Flatman, Stuart Hooper, Danny Grewcock, Claassens, Olly Barkley and Guy Mercer, while incumbent England skipper Lewis Moody is also preparing for his first season with the club.