HAVING opted to hand the Warriors captaincy to new recruit Dean Schofield, Sixways chief Richard Hill has praised former incumbent Chris Pennell.

By his own admission, full-back Pennell, who has captained the club for the last two seasons, was hampered by a metal plate in his ankle last season and struggled to hit top form.

After joining the club in 2010, Hill named Pennell as the man to lead his new-look Warriors, but the luckless full-back suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, which ruled him out for most of the Championship-winning campaign.

Pennell began last season as skipper but, as he struggled for form and fitness, Hill chose Kai Horstmann and Shaun Perry to lead the side.

Pennell then revealed the metal plate inserted into his ankle had been hampering him but he has since had it removed and hopes to hit the ground running this season.

Hill was impressed by how Pennell led the club as well as his attitude and input into the decision to hand the reins over to former Sale and Toulon enforcer Schofield.

“I spoke to Chris over the summer about the captaincy and asked him if he felt he should concentrate on his own game and make sure he hits top form,” said Hill.

“While he has always been proud to be captain and could have continued in the role, he acknowledged the time was right to look at his own form.

“He has been extremely unlucky over the last two seasons he has been captain, but I still think he will be a good captain and his time could come again.

“Now he has made the decision to concentrate on his own game 100 per cent and we look forward to seeing him hit his very best form for the Warriors.”