Hammond has won 111 matches as Nottingham skipper

Long-serving Nottingham back-row forward Craig Hammond says he is "honoured" to become the most-capped captain in the club's history.

The 31-year-old New Zealander has been with the Green & Whites for ten years and skippered them for a record 190th time against Plymouth on Saturday.

He said: "I am filled with pride. When I first joined I never expected to be in this position. It is an honour.

"It's certainly one of the biggest moments of my career."

Kiwi Hammond, who has notched up 111 wins in his ten years as skipper, added: "The years and the times I've had with this team have been absolutely brilliant, beyond words, and I look forward to continue playing and skippering the club for a long time to come.

Craig has been a fantastic servant of the club and a superb leader on the pitch Glenn Delaney

"To have my name up there with real Nottingham greats on the record board is very special in itself and I'm truly honoured to have captained the side the number of times I have."

Other famous names to have captained the Green & Whites include Scotland international Chris Gray (114), Nottingham's first ever international player Vincent Cartwright (52), as well as current director of rugby Glenn Delaney who skippered the club 55 times through the 1997/98 and 1998/99 campaigns.

Delaney added: "Craig has been a fantastic servant of the club and a superb leader on the pitch. Players really respond to having a strong character behind them on the field and that is exactly what he has shown for us.

"Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Craig on what he has done for the club and we look forward to him playing a central part in the success of Nottingham in the future."

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