Harlequins have announced that Joe Marler will replace Chris Robshaw as club captain for the new season.
Robshaw, who skippers the England national team, has led Quins for the past four years.
However, coach Conor O'Shea believes that replacing Robshaw as club captain will relieve some of the pressure on the flanker ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
"I am delighted that Joe has agreed to take over the captaincy from Chris. He is a massively influential player and person within the group and will bring his own personality and style to the role, with the full backing of the entire squad and management," O'Shea told the club's official website.
"With regards to Chris, I have been speaking to him about the dual role of captaining both England and Harlequins for some time. He has a massive year ahead of him and I feel that we should relieve him of some of the pressure, which will allow him to focus on being at his best for both club and country."
Marler has made over 100 appearances for Quins since he graduated from the club's academy in 2008.
Jack Prescott
