SAINTS' new skipper Jon Wilkin cannot wait to get stuck into his new role after taking the armband from Paul Wellens.

The captaincy had become an issue once it became obvious that the return to full fitness of full back Jonny Lomax, Wilkin and Luke Walsh meant that Wellens would be fighting for a spot in the 17 every week.

However, coach Keiron Cunningham admitted it was a tough call – but insisted that Wellens still has a role to play on the pitch as well as developing a different one off it.

Cunningham said: “We had a discussion with Paul Wellens at the back of last year when I got the coach’s job and I understood the position he was in with regards to the captaincy.

“It was quite tough – Paul did not want to let go of it but on the other hand he did not want to worry that he did not have that presence, but was captain of the club.

“As a joint decision going forward we thought it would be appropriate to appoint a new captain.

“Paul will still support the new captain and be around, do his duties and still lead.”

Although Wilkin will don the armband, the club will continue with the group leadership that has worked well in the past – and the burden will not fall squarely on to the shoulders of the new skipper.

“The one thing about this club – and that goes back to my day when playing – is that there are always four or five captains out there on a game,” Cunningham said.

“In my day it was Joynty, Scully, me and Longy – always lots of captains and that is how it is at the minute.

“The choice of captain was quite difficult and there was a little bit of deliberation between myself, Mike Rush and the chairman, but we thought the natural progression to continue what we are doing would be Jon Wilkin.

“Jon is a great ambassador for the club. He is a great leader and probably epitomises what we want to be going forward with and what the club means to him.”

For Wilkin, who has captained England and been leading the team when Wellens has been on the bench, this appointment is a natural progression.

Not only does he have the respect of the players on the park having made sacrifices to his own game, he also speaks well and his articulate manner and media savvy ways could be a valuable asset.”

Wilkin approaches this new job with sleeves rolled up and ready to help write another chapter of the club’s history.

Wilkin said: “It is an honour to play for this fantastic club. To get the opportunity to play here for 12 seasons is an exceptional achievement and something I am very proud of.

“But to then go on and captain the club and follow in the footsteps of Paul Wellens and Keiron Cunningham brings responsibility.”

As for Wellens’ role, the head coach was swift to point out that the door was not being shut on the former skipper who performed heroics in helping deliver silverware to Langtree Park.

Cunningham said: “Paul is contracted at the club and is going to play. Nobody helped me with my transition from player to coach and it is something I said to Paul that we would help with this year.

“Paul is going to be around the players, play a supporting role with Wilko and be part of our leadership group. Paul is heavily involved with St Helens rugby league – and somebody of his stature you want involved in the club. He is around for a long time.”