Chris Pennell in for Pat Sanderson as Worcester captain

Pennell is the son of former England cricketer Graham Dilley

Worcester Warriors have named Chris Pennell as captain for the forthcoming Championship season in place of long-standing skipper Pat Sanderson.

Back Pennell, 23, has made 47 appearances for the Warriors and scored 57 points since his debut in 2007.

Pennell replaces former England captain Sanderson who has been the Sixways skipper for the past six seasons.

Head coach Richard Hill said: "Chris is a very mature, intelligent and bright young rugby player with a big future."

He added: "He speaks with authority and it became very clear to me very quickly that the other players in the squad respected him and always listened to what he said.

"We now have a young captain who I believe will help to bring a lot of the young players forward and give them the confidence to contribute. Chris can be a very good bridge between the senior group and the younger players.

"This is a new start and I believe that having a new captain will benefit the club and that Chris will put his own mark on the captaincy.

"I have spoken to Chris at length and I know he will go away and work out how he is going to approach this. He will put his mark on this group of players and I am excited to see how he takes us forward."

Worcester-born Warriors academy graduate Pennell has made his mark playing across the back line at full-back, wing and centre.

He was greatly admired by former Worcester coach Mike Ruddock and has been viewed as one of the brightest talents at Sixways.

On the demotion of Sanderson, Hill commented: "Everybody who's watched Warriors over the last six years has seen that Pat has given absolutely everything he has to the role.

"He has contributed so much as both a player and captain under difficult circumstances when under pressure and at the wrong end of the table.

"Throughout hard times, Pat always led by example and put his body on the line. He would never ask anybody to do something he wouldn't so himself.

"I have spoken to Pat about his decision and I know will give Chris his full support and continue to be a key performer for Worcester Warriors in the coming years."