Lock Rob Simmons will stand in as the Reds' captain until James Slipper returns from injury.

Slipper is set to be out for some time due to a shoulder injury, which has forced coach Richard Graham to reconsider the team's leadership options.

Simmons and Slipper are two of the more experienced members of the Reds squad, although last year's vice-captain flanker Liam Gill would have also been a contender to take over the captaincy.

'It's an honour and a proud moment in my life,' Simmons said. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity, but James is still our captain and I know he'll be offering the team plenty of leadership and support from the sidelines. It's not really about me, or James, it's about the team and what we want to build here and that's something everyone is contributing to.'

The Reds will open their Super Rugby campaign against the Waratahs on 27 February.

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