Two skippers for Bath
August 10 2008
Bath coach Steve Meehan has announced that Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett will share the captaincy duties during the forthcoming season.
Bath were left without a skipper after England lock Steve Borthwick shocked the West Country by defecting to Saracens and Meehan has chosen to fill the big man's boots with an on-field captain (Lipman) and an off-field captain (Crockett).
"We've divided up the responsibilities," explained Meehan.
"We are still broadening the leadership base of the club - and these two guys represent, in the way they train and play, exactly what I think is important to the place. They will do a very good job as a result.
"As the club representative away from the playing side, I'm sure Alex will take care of things quite nicely, while on the field, Michael will be an excellent leader. Both of them are the style of player that I like to represent the side."
Captaining Bath is nothing new for Crockett, having done the job several times last season whilst Borthwick was away on international duty.
"When I got a few opportunities to captain the side last year, it was absolutely brilliant," said the centre.
"When Steve [Meehan] broke the news to me, I was absolutely honoured. It is crazy thinking back to when I was a youngster on the terrace watching. I am very proud."
Lipman echoed his fellow captain's sentiments adding: "Earlier in my career I never expected to captain a club like this, but I am massively honoured. It is one hell of a club, with a great bunch of blokes and great staff and it's a massive honour to be appointed team captain.
"The best thing about being captain of this side is that there are so many captains within the team. But, if there's any guy I want beside me, it's Alex. He is a tremendous leader."
Meanwhile, Borthwick made his Saracens debut in France on Friday night.
Saracens boss Eddie Jones was pleased with the progress of his side after watching the club's opening pre-season match, but he admitted there is still plenty to work on following the 29-27 defeat in Bayonne.
After a slow start to the game, Saracens produced a much-improved second half display to run in three tries against their opponents who snatched the game with a try in the closing minutes.
"Overall, I was pleased with what I saw and it was a positive display considering it was our first hit out of the season," said Jones.
"We were a little slow to get going and we coughed up too many turnovers which put us on the back foot. There was the element of rustiness you may expect for a first game and we also knew they would be a tough opponent."