I guess that it's possible the decision has been made and announced internally, but is being kept under wraps for now.

Could well be announced media day.

Watkins confirmed on official FB live stream. Good call imo.

I don't see it. Not who I would have picked. Not even in my top 5, however what the fook do I know? I'm 100% behind him! All the best to him and the team.

12 months ago I wouldn't have had him in the mix (my preference would still be Ward) but he does look to have matured as a player and leader in the last year. The way he took to the pressure and responsibility of goal kicking was very impressive and unexpected. Also think him always being on the pitch gave him an advantage much like McGuire took over the captaincy when Sinfield was injured when it previously was Peacock.

Important thing is that we have a group of leaders in the team which is looks like we do. As great as Sinfield was as captain he was the first to praise others as leaders too in the group.

Suggests possibly that Watkins and Leeds see his long term future at the club and won't be heading to the NRL or RU.

Happy with Watkins. He did a good job in the game v St. Helens last season and shown what it meant to him at the end of the game after walking round the whole of the pitch applauding the fans. I think it’s a great choice, in his testimonial year too.

Great player, sounds like a top guy should make a great captain - at the end of the day he is only a small cog and like any manager he is only as good as the team he manages.

I wonder when they are going to fit in his testimonial game ?

Fair point that and possibly a key part of Leeds thinking.

Could do it next January, yes it's the next season but one or two players for other clubs whose testimonials have been cancelled due to bad weather have ended up rescheduling them for the following January. No one is due a testimonial for us next season so no issue there.

This season will be JJB's 20th at the club. Will they award him a double testimonial? As the last man standing from the start of the golden generation, I'd say he warranted one.

Wardy for next captain but happy with Watkins this time round. Suggests a commitment from him to Leeds (as opposed to a switch to NRL or RU ) where, let's be honest, he'd no doubt get paid more!) & he genuinely seems a good bloke with years of big-game experience as well as having already fought through some dark days in his own existence & mental state. A team of 'leaders' that have earnt each others respect can't be a bad set up so let's see how we go. MoT

Choice of Watkins could be a masterstroke. A criticism over the years - and not just from me - is that he doesn't impose himself on games enough ( though when he does, he's electric). Getting a player of his calibre to lead from the front might just take him to another level.

Do we know who the VC is yet?
Or is it a mixture of players?
I really would like to see Stevie Ward get the nod as VC.

Couldn't agree more. I like what the club has done. It could also fend off any thoughts of an NRL move from Watkins.

In the same way it stopped Harris moving to Union? I hope Kallum follows the Sir Kev Model rather than Iestyns, but making him captain guarantees nothing. If he gets a big money NRL offer and decides to take it and secure his financial future who could blame him?

Hopefully he's here for the long term.

Watkins is certain to get offers from NRL clubs way above what Leeds can give him. Hopefully he doesn’t fancy a move down under and signs a long term deal in the near future.

Watkins would already have been made offers from NRL clubs. I get the impression that for personal reasons we may be lucky enough to see him play his entire career with us. Ditto Ryan Hall, who we know has been made offers in the past.

Just guess work but they had the team photo yesterday and Ward and Singleton are sat either side of Watkins. In the past you'd usually see the likes of Peacock and McGuire next to Sinfield.

That would do for me.
Singleton appears to have come from nowhere to stake a claim.
So good for him as I would not have predicted it.

what is the basis for McD's thinking & Singleton's pedigree as a captain? I haven't seen an inkling that he is of the right pedigree. I thought that of Peacock at one time, but at least he stood out as a great player.

Not sure that is always the case.
Great players like great staff don`t always make good captains or good managers.
Like I said Singleton would not have been my choice but clearly the coach thinks he has the ability.

Yeah i agree. Both could have moved at any time over the last 5 years, Hall could probably have had his pick of clubs over the last 8 years but at 30 his window has closed.Now Watkins is captain i think it puts to bed either making the switch.

Informal leadership group confirmed in evening post this morning. Watkins, Singleton, Ward, JJB & Myler.

I expected it to be Ward but Watkins really showed his bottle with his goal kicking in the semi final and then his outstanding WC performances

Recon a few little things added up to tip the scales in favour of Watkins over Ward:
1- probable goal kicker (makes on field penalty decisions much quicker)
2- international experience
3- better injury record
4- will play 80 mins a lot more

Either way I back him as a captain and think he has the bottle and respect of the players to do well