Mike Tindall named Gloucester captain for 2010/11

Tindall joined Gloucester from west country rivals Bath in 2005

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath has confirmed Mike Tindall will be club captain for the 2010/11 campaign.

The 31-year-old shared the job last season with Gareth Delve who has since joined Melbourne Rebels in Australia.

"[Tindall] is heavily involved with England but he's desperate and hugely driven to do well for Gloucester," Redpath told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"He will captain the side throughout the season, supported by Luke Narraway, Rory Lawson and players like that."

Redpath confirmed the appointment after his side's 24-14 pre-season win away at the Ospreys, in which Tindall - in his first appearance of the warm-up campaign - led the side.

Gloucester's opening friendly saw Peter Buxton skipper the side against Scarlets at Kingsholm, but despite being a former club captain himself, the flanker is no longer a guaranteed first-choice starter.

Redpath also revealed why Gloucester's highest profile closed-season signing - Scottish lock Jim Hamilton - is yet to feature in a cherry and white shirt.

"Jim's had a viral infection which has knocked him back a little bit so we haven't included him in the first two matches," Redpath said.

"He is definitely recovering and I'm hoping that next Friday night he'll be available for us [against Munster] and that would be great.

"Paul Doran-Jones is another - he's had an ankle knock - and Freddie Burns as well. Hopefully they'll be available to play some part of it."