El-Abd named as Bristol Rugby captain for 2008/09
Bristol Rugby flanker Joe El-Abd has been named by head coach Richard Hill as 2008/09 captain. The 28-year-old has been an important first team member since he moved to the Guinness Premiership club from Welsh side Caerphilly in the summer of 2003.
Richard admitted that El-Abd is the ideal man to take over the captaincy from Mark Salter, who relinquished his position at the conclusion of last season: "Salts has done a fantastic job. He led us back into the Premiership and played a crucial role in keeping us there. And he's made a typically honest decision, thinking of the club before himself.
"And I was in the fortunate position of being able to choose from a number of senior professionals at the club but I believe that Joe is absolutely the right man for the job.
"He's developed into a fine Premiership player, one who is well respected by the rest of the playing squad. He is also totally committed to Bristol Rugby and very active in our community work. He is and will continue to be a fine ambassador for the club as well as captain on the field."
El-Abd added: "It's a tremendous honour and I didn't hesitate when Hilly approached me. Salts is going to be a really tough act to follow - he will go down as a Bristol legend in the future.
"But I've learned a lot from him over the past four years and I've got the benefit of leading a team with a number of senior pros who will make the job that much easier.
"I'm just the latest in a long list of distinguished names who have led Bristol. I can't wait now for the season to start and hopefully skippering us to a successful season."
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