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Rugby Union

Ibanez replaces Dallaglio as Wasps captain

05/08/2008

Wasps have unveiled Frenchman Raphael Ibanez as the club's new captain, replacing Lawrence Dallaglio following his retirement at the end of last season.

Ibanez, who is the world's most-capped hooker with 98 appearances for Les Bleus, has been with the club for three years and made 60 appearances.

However the appointment of the veteran front row, who turns 36 next February, must be seen as something of a stop-gap, single-season selection before a more steady, long-term choice can be made.

Nevertheless, Ibanez said he is "really honoured" to have been handed the captaincy and paid tribute to his coaches and his predecessor.

"Working with Ian McGeechan and Shaun Edwards and all of the coaching staff at Wasps has been a fantastic experience for me," he commented.

"This club is much more than just rugby, it is family, and I am delighted and very privileged to take the role of club captain.

"When Ian spoke to me about the captaincy my first thought went to Lawrence Dallaglio. He's a great leader and an absolute legend of this game.

"Nobody will ever replace him - ever - and for me it has been a great honour to play both alongside him at Wasps and against him in the international arena.

"It is with his support that I take this role - he is a great friend and will continue to be even though he will no longer be at the club."

Head coach Ian McGeechan said the decision to select Ibanez as captain was "an easy one" because of his vast international and top-level club experience and his various character traits that suits the role as club captain.

"Raf is one of the nicest, most committed rugby players I have ever come across; a very genuine person who I would definitely call a friend as well as a colleague," McGeechan explained.

"He has been an immense captain for France throughout his international career and one of the great players among the Wasps squad throughout the last three seasons.

"The decision to appoint him as club captain was an easy one - what Raf has achieved, his character and the way he operates is first class and there is no more deserved a man for the job."