Introducing Our Club Captain for 2026/7

We are delighted to advise that Theo Hovenden-Kelly has been appointed as our Club Captain for the season 2026/7.

A hugely popular and highly-respected member of the men's Firsts, Theo will be a familiar face to many of you.

Reflecting on his appointment, Theo said: "It's a massive honour for me to be appointed Club Captain for the coming season. It has always been a huge source of pride to me to represent the people of Salmo and the wider club community on the pitch, so I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to do so in this role.

"I'd like to thank Kevin Burke for everything he brought to the role of Cub Captain last season. His determination and the manner in which he led by example showed how much both the club and the position meant to him. His leadership undoubtedly played a significant part in many of the positive results we achieved throughout the season.

"Having come so close to promotion last year, the squad is hungry to push on and achieve success. The level of talent, determination and leadership within the playing group is higher than anything I've seen at the club before. We're all therefore hugely excited to get back for pre-season and see how far we can go this year."

Director of Rugby, Norman Byrne, commented: "I am delighted that Theo has agreed to take on the Club Captaincy role for the coming season. He has been a key member of the men's senior squad for the past 6 seasons and in my view, one of our most consistent players over the last couple of seasons in particular. That consistency was rewarded with his selection in the Leinster Junior interpro squad for the recent series and it was thoroughly-deserved.

"Theo has also become a true Salmo club man over his time with us and is always very generous and giving of his time in the club, whether mucking in with works around the grounds or engaging with our members, young and old. I've no doubt that they are all delighted with his appointment to the Club Captaincy, as indeed I know are all his playing and management colleagues within the senior squad.

"Theo will lead by both word and deed next season and I'm really looking forward to working with and supporting him over the time.

"A concluding comment on the Club Captaincy from me is to thank Kevin Burke for the cracking job he did last season, both on and off the field. He was an excellent Club Captain and we all very much appreciated all his efforts."