IN THE wake of Rob Baldwin's departure to Keighley, Wharfedale have named scrum half Phil Woodhead as his successor as club captain.

Front-rowers Ian Larkin and Dan Stockdale are the vice-captains.

Meanwhile, the Greens have signed centre Joel Gill, who thus returns to The Avenue, and fly half Ed Hainsworth.

Head coach James Doherty said of the captaincy decision: "We spent quite a bit of time discussing it, and there were some other strong candidates, such as the two vice-captains, Josh Burridge and George Hedgley.

"But Phil has come down to pre-season with the bit between his teeth and is passionate about the club.

"Sam Gaudie will put him under pressure for his position – he knows that – but captaincy is more than just what happens on the field, and Phil ticks all the boxes."

As for Burridge, Doherty said: "Josh has been captain before, but it was at a very difficult time, and we feel it is better that he just concentrates on his game as he is an outstanding player as he showed at the back end of last season."

Gill, 27, who can also play scrum half, left Wharfedale for Championship side Rotherham Titans in the summer of 2012.

Previously with Otley, he has also played for Darlington Mowden Park.

Doherty said: "Joel brings loads of experience and is a defensive leader and will be a replacement for James Tincknell."

Hainsworth, whose family are from Threshfield, is a former Bradford Grammar School pupil who played for England at under-16 and under-17 level.

In the extended England under-16 squad alongside him were current British Lions Kyle Sinckler and Elliot Daly, England international Luke Cowan-Dickie, England prospect Sam Hill and former Otley lock Dominic Barrow, who captained England Under-16s.

"Doherty said: "Ed, who had fallen out of love with the game, played for Bath University and Bath's A team and has impressed in pre-season."

Wharfedale play their first pre-season friendly on Saturday at home to North One West champions Kirkby Lonsdale and have named a squad of 25.

Doherty said: "We will be playing two halves of 40 minutes.

"The whole idea about pre-season is to prepare for the season, so it is nonsense to play four 20-minute periods or two 30-minute periods."

Wharfedale Foresters start their pre-season matches next Wednesday at Bradford Salem (7.00).

Wharfedale (home to Kirkby Lonsdale): L Brown; B Parkinson, |J Gill, B Booth, O Cicognini; E Hainsworth, S Gaudie; J Altham, D Stockdale (captain), T Asejevs, J Mason, S Borrill, G Hedgley, J Burridge, T Whyte. Replacements: G Altham, J Meehan, R Ward, S Smith, O Snowden, A Myers, J Bullough, J Prell, H Dunne, W Lawn.