Bedford Blues name Sean McCarthy as new captain

Bedford Blues have announced prop Sean McCarthy as club captain for the 2019-20 Championship season.

Since joining the Blues from Jersey Reds in the summer of 2017, McCarthy has embedded himself in the Bedford front row, making over 50 appearances in his two seasons at Goldington Road.

Following the retirement of scrum-half Lee Dickson at the end of last season, Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer has installed the captaincy on 28-year-old McCarthy, who is already one of the senior and most respected members of the Bedford squad.

"To say this has come out of the blue - no pun intended - is quite an understatement,” said McCarthy after his appointment was confirmed to the rest of the squad ahead of the second block of pre-season training on Monday morning.

"It is a huge honour to have been given this opportunity to lead such a wonderful club and a fantastic set of players, and I was delighted to have accepted the role.

"I’ve had the pleasure of working under two magnificent captains at Bedford in Michael Le Bourgeois and Lee Dickson, who had very different styles.

"Booj was a man of few words, while Dicko had plenty but both led from the front and were great examples both on the pitch and in the changing room. Hopefully, I can do much of the same and continue the fine fortunes of the club."