Former Workington Town hooker Shaun Lunt has been handed the captain's armband at Hull KR for their 2017 Championship campaign.

Lunt was tipped as one of the favourites for the role following the departure of former skipper Terry Campese.

And the Cockermouth-born number nine will lead the Robins for the first time in Sunday's derby against Hull FC.

Lunt said: "I’m over the moon, I really am. It’s a huge honour and, when I look back on my career, it will definitely be a real highlight of it.

"It means even more as well in the situation we are in at the moment with going down to the Championship.

"I’m really honoured and touched to be named captain for such an important year for the club."

And he thanked coach Tim Sheen for the honour, ahead of a big season for Hull KR as they attempt to leap right back into Super League at the first attempt.

"Tim had a lot of natural leaders and good blokes in the squad to choose from," Lunt added.

"He’s come in and he didn’t know any of us but he’s one of the best coaches of our era, so to be chosen by somebody like him is fantastic.

"I’m going to be speaking to the senior lads and asking them to support me as well.

"It’s my first gig as captain and I’ll need that help, but this isn’t going to change me or the sort of player that I am.

"I must have done something right to get the backing of Tim and the players, so I’m just going to keep trying my best and working hard."

Head coach Sheens said: “I'm delighted to appoint Shaun as our new captain and it's an honour he thoroughly deserves.

"He's an experienced player with the respect of the coaching staff and his team-mates and he'll do a good job in the role.

“I don't want a captain who shouts and screams and orders people around the field.

"It will be down to the spine of the team collectively to guide us around the park and it will be those players who make the majority of the decisions throughout a match in terms of how we want to play.

“As our hooker, Shaun will have his own part to play in that alongside the halves and full back, but first and foremost I want a captain who leads by example, who never cuts a corner at training and who represents the club on and off the field.

“Shaun has those qualities and he'll be supported by a number of other senior players within our leadership group who also came into consideration for the captaincy.

"They will all have their part to play this season which is why I won't be naming an official vice-captain.”