Rowan is honoured to be Leeds Carnegie's youngest captain (From Keighley News)

Rowan is honoured to be Leeds Carnegie's youngest captain

12:50pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport By Bill Marshall

Cononley’s Jacob Rowan has become the youngest ever captain of Leeds Carnegie at the age of 22.

The England under-20 international, who has played extensively for Otley on loan, will take the armband from former England and British Lion Andy Titterrell.

Ex-Bradford Grammar School pupil Rowan, who has also played for England at under-16 and under-18 level, surpasses Stuart Hooper as Leeds’ youngest skipper. Hooper was 25 when he led Leeds to Premiership promotion in 2006-07.

Leeds Carnegie’s head coach Diccon Edwards said: “I am delighted for Jacob that he will be our permanent captain next season.

“He did the job on a number of occasions last season on a game-by-game basis and impressed the coaching staff and his team-mates with his decision-making.

“It is important that we support Jacob in the role and our aim is to have a number of leaders within the squad. Jacob has a natural ability as a leader and I am sure he will have benefited from his first full season as a senior professional.

“He made 28 appearances for us in the Championship last season and was named player of the season by his team-mates.”

Rowan, a product of Leeds’ Academy, believes his club can again challenge for the play-offs.

He said: “It is a huge honour to be named captain. To follow in the footsteps of Tom Palmer, Mike Shelley, Stuart Hooper, Mike MacDonald, Marco Wentzel and Andy Titterrell is massive.”