GLOUCESTER have named England World Cup winning centre Mike

Tindall as their new captain – but only on a match-by-match

basis.

The 29-year-old three-quarter will lead the Cherry &

Whites in their final pre-season friendly against Glasgow

Warriors at Kingsholm tomorrow (2pm).

Blindside flanker Peter Buxton and Italy second row Marco

Bortolami shared the role last season.

But Tindall, who has been at Kingsholm for two seasons, is

likely to be in the role for the Guinness Premiership opener at

home to Leicester Tigers a week on Sunday.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan said: "The person who gets

it (the captaincy) for the first start will be Mike

Tindall.

"But form, how good he is and how he gels with the rest of

the side will determine whether he captains the side every week

or whether it is sporadic.

"Marco and Peter are people who can captain in different

ways. Mike is probably the best to take us into the season.

"We will review this. If he is the best he will continue to

be the captain but if he's not then we will look at other

options."

Ryan has never been fond of naming a captain for the whole

campaign, throughout his coaching career, including his days at

Bristol.

He explained: "Captains come from a group of people. They

are not laid out for the year. I find it difficult to name

someone (as captain) when someone is not guaranteed a

position.

"The one thing I can ensure is that people are not

guaranteed positions.

"Each season is nine months long. The possible captains can

come from anywhere.

"You could work further into the season and find out one of

the younger guys has progressed and developed to a level that

gives him captain status.

"Captains are based on sound practical knowledge and the

ability for people to follow you."

Gloucester have faced Canada A and French side Bayonne this

pre-season.

Ryan is pleased with the progress made by the Cherry &

Whites so far this term but will not be too worried should they

record a second successive defeat against Glasgow.

"Results are never a priority of pre-season. Results only

matter when you are playing in the Premiership," he

explained.

"It doesn't mean we are not disappointed with elements of

performance, but I don't think we are necessarily focused on

the result.

"Canada was always going to be a period away in a different

environment for us. It was a game we knew we could and should

win.

"Bayonne was always something that was forced on us. We knew

they would be further down the line than us because Cardiff

dropping out was a huge disappointment.

"We were then forced to travel and play a week earlier than

we had originally planned. People we would have liked to play

were not available.

"What is important is that you get your best players

available and at a level ready to play by the time you play

Leicester."