Huddersfield Giants appoint new captain after landslide vote by players

The half-back, who will be supported by new vice-captain Harry Rushton as well as Zac Woolford, Adam Swift, Matty English and Tui Lolohea in the wider leadership group, featured just six times due to injury last season to continue a challenging start to his Super League career.

But his influence away from the spotlight has earned him the captaincy following Leroy Cudjoe's retirement.

Huddersfield head coach Luke Robinson is fully behind the decision after placing the responsibility in the hands of his players.

"The boys themselves picked a leadership group and he, by far and away, had the most votes," said Robinson. "That proves that he's respected by the group, by the players themselves.

"He's struggled a little bit with injuries over the last 12 months but he's probably shown in that time the type of leader he is, really. He’s articulate, he's smart and one of the biggest things is he cares genuinely about the team, the group and the individuals within it.

"He's experienced now as well. He's a really intelligent rugby player who's got a lot of experience. I just think he'll be really good for the group."

The captaincy has given Clune a boost as he steps up his preparations for the new campaign alongside his team-mates on a pre-season camp in Tenerife.

"It's a huge honour," he said. "For Robbo and the boys to have that faith in me to do the job is massive.

"It probably doesn't change my role too much day-to-day. I play half-back anyway so I sort of do that within my role at the moment – but to get the 'C' next to your name is a really nice feeling and it makes me even more excited for the year ahead."