The 24-year-old, capped 15 times by England, underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season but is expected to be fit for the start of the season as Wasps target a return to form on three fronts - the Guinness Premiership, Euro Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.

"It's a massive honour and responsibility to be asked to take on the captaincy and I am really looking forward to the challenge," said Rees who will be supported by vice captains Phil Vickery and Serge Betsen.

"As a player, or as a captain, I wouldn't ask anything of anyone that I would not be prepared to do myself and in this group of players you can sense already a great unity. I think we are all really excited and will just be looking to really make our mark in the Premiership and Europe right from the start of the season."

Wasps' director of rugby Tony Hanks added, "Tom is a hugely focused and determined individual, who is undoubtedly one of the best players in his position not just in the Premiership but in Europe and on the world stage. His talents on the pitch, motivation for success, and ability to really command respect not only from his peers and coaches but opponents also, makes him an obvious choice as a leader and I feel this is right time for Tom and for Wasps as we name him as our captain."

The 30-year-old helped Scotland lift the Rugby World Cup Sevens plate in March, but has since struggled to overcome the long-standing problem. The Edinburgh player made a try-scoring debut for Scotland against Tonga in 2001 but made just one more appearance before the knee problems began a year later.

"I've had three operations on my right knee since 2002," said Reid, who has played on the wing and across the back row. The last four months I've been trying to rehabilitate my knee to continue professional rugby. Unfortunately, it hasn't recovered sufficiently and I have been advised by specialists to consider retiring.

The 27-year-old was told at the All Blacks one-day camp in Auckland last week he would not be required for the trip to Sydney for the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia at ANZ Stadium this weekend.

For the front-rower, who started in both Tests against France and the Tri-Nations matches against Australia at Eden Park and South Africa in Bloemfontein, it has been something of a reality check to be told he has been leap-frogged by Owen Franks, John Afoa and Wyatt Crockett in the pecking order.

"It was a shock, especially being told you are fifth prop which is basically where I lie. It's quite hard to take. But these things happen and you've got to move on," said the 36-Test veteran. "They haven't told me any reasons why I've been dropped they've just told me I've been lacking game time and to come down here (to Wellington) and get some game time and that's basically been it."