Salter stays as Shoguns captain

Bristol Shoguns have appointed Matt Salter club captain for the second successive season with head coach Richard Hill hailing the number eight’s “inspirational” leadership.

Salter, 28, returned to the Memorial Stadium a year ago following his season-long stint at Leeds and made a big impact as the club romped to the English National One title, securing promotion to the Guinness Premiership in the process.

Hill said: “Matt was superb for us last season. He was in excellent form as a player and was inspirational as a leader.

“He led from the front and I don’t think it was any coincidence that our one dip in form took place when he was out injured. He came back to Bristol with the aim of getting us back into the Premiership and he duly achieved that.

“Now he will lead us on our return and he’ll do so with pride…all in all, he is the perfect choice.”