Swaffham RUFC have appointed back row forward Marc Lockwood as first-team captain for the season.

Lockwood replaces Ryan Bigland as skipper, with Jordan Mustard to act as vice-captain.

'The club would like to formally thank Ryan Bigland for his efforts over the last three years,' chairman Ian Milligan said in a post on his club's website.

'Change is always difficult. The decision to change has to be taken seriously. A fresh voice, fresh thoughts are always good. We hope all club members, supporters back Marc and Jordan in the upcoming season.'

Swaffham are joined in Green King IPA Eastern Counties One by Thetford this season, who won the EC2 title last season.

Both start their league fixtures on Saturday, September 13, Swaffham at Ipswich YM and Thetford at Wisbech. They then face each other, at Thetford, the following Saturday.

And the new skipper goes into the season with high hopes, writing in a blog post: 'Having only arrived at Swaffham at the start of last season it did not take me long to realise that I was surrounded by a talented group of players and the fourth-place finish along with some outstanding attacking performances last year confirmed that.

'This season I personally want to kick on from what we achieved last year. As had it not being for our inconsistency we could have found ourselves in a play-off place, so that has to be my goal, our goal this year.

'Coming from a rugby league background and having played at centre in my early union days, I, as a back row forward, have a different perspective on how the modern game should be played.

'Luckily for me, Stuart (Low, coach) and Francis (Donaghy, coach) feel the same so I hope to start the season with everybody singing from the same hymn sheet.'