Captain?

[1988]

Tom youngs is not up to the job of on field captain. Plenty if other players whow would better communicate with the ref and lead a team.

Tamoua. Ford. Ben youngs.
However my choice would be Dan Cole on the pitch most of the game. ....in and around the ref..... Leicester through and through

[Leicestertinytiger]

Dan Cole isn’t vocal enough. For me if he was fit I would pick Brendon O’Connor, was captain of the NZ team he came from. Also for Barrow and T Youngs as leaders in the pack with Toomua and Ford for the backs.

[Tiger93]

O'Connor and Toomua are very strong shouts.

[strawclearer]

BO'C for a regular starting spot and the armband for me.

As for longer term - Dom Barrow was Captain for England at U16 and U18. 1st-team debut as a teen in 10/11 season in the ERChallengeCup. Part of England U20s squad that won the World Juniors title. Shortlisted for Yng Player & Newcomer of the Year in 15/16 + Player of the Year 16/17. Needs a Forwards Coach and he'll come good both as a lock and captain imho!

[Rugbyflanker]

Captain? Captain? Captain? What about the pirate off the Captain Morgan advert? He would do a better job than our shower

[G.K]

Dave?

[JP14]

I think if Barrow hadn't of crooked his neck before Worcester I reckon he would have been all over the ref and we would have got that penalty try and a TMO look at the Fasooliva no arms tackle

[JP14]

Hamilton?

[WhitecapTiger]

Captain Morgan

Wrong shaped ball in this City

[Drixtonian]

There are exceptions, but in my view front row players struggle to be good captains because they cannot see enough of the game. The ideal captain has to be in the backs, and preferably playing at full back - if that player has the qualities required.

There's a key role for a pack leader which seems to be lacking at present so they look like a bunch of individuals trying their best. Someone needs to step up and fill that vacancy. And, each time there's a stoppage the leaders on the field should gather the troops and focus their minds on the next move be it scrum, line-out, penalty or whatever. Packs in articular should not be left to stand around day dreaming.

[WhitecapTiger]

Please not a scrum-half, often too chopsy and annoy the ref (generically)

Not a Full Back (or by association a winger) - too far from most of the action (I know Murphy will be offered as an exception to this)

Not a front rower - again, I know there are exceptions but with heads stuck in scrums they don't always see what's going on (except Hartley who spends scrum time popped up ).

I know it's probably a bit dated but I still prefer a declared captain to be in the backs with a pack leader (real captain ) running the forwards.

10/12 possibly 13 the best bets, so from our current lot, Matt Toomua - experience, ability and credibility (most of the time).

If it were to be a forward, Brendan O'Connor (experience and brains) or, longer term - injury permitting - Barrow (shows promise/ability, brawn and usually leads by example - a little 'loose cannon' at time but hey, some of the best are).

That's not to say that players in any position couldn't / doesn't have the attributes, just my musings.

Ultimately it has to be someone who wants it, is credible, can be respected and can show others the way through leading by example.

[JP14]

There are exceptions, but in my view front row players struggle to be good captains because they cannot see enough of the game. The ideal captain has to be in the backs, and preferably playing at full back - if that player has the qualities required.

There's a key role for a pack leader which seems to be lacking at present so they look like a bunch of individuals trying their best. Someone needs to step up and fill that vacancy. And, each time there's a stoppage the leaders on the field should gather the troops and focus their minds on the next move be it scrum, line-out, penalty or whatever. Packs in articular should not be left to stand around day dreaming.

How was Tait as captain when he stood in for Slater?

[Drixtonian]

OK, perhaps I was thinking too much about the captaincy of Geordan Murphy and I did say "if they have the qualities required". But I still believe the captain should be in the backs, and I agree that most scrum halves can be a little too "talkative". It is a fine line between getting in the ear of the ref and getting up the nose of the ref.

[mightymouse]

Often it is 2nd rows interestingly that have been the outstanding skippers...Johnson, Eales, Mcbride, Beaumont, Meads. However I think back row is the best place to captain from, being involved in all aspects of the game..... McCaw, Dallaglio, Warburton, M. Davies, Harinordoquy, Rives

[SirGordonRamsey]

BOC doesnt even get a shout for the starting team anymore but he'd be great.

Dan Cole gave the game away vs munster at home and is not a captain.

Ed slater would have been good had he stayed.

Ford probably the best shout although he disapears for international.