England center Brad Barritt was ­confirmed as captain of English and European champions Saracens on Thursday.

Barritt, 29, takes the armband from previous skipper Alistair Hargreaves as Saracens look to defend their double in the forthcoming campaign.

With Hargreaves sidelined due to injury for much of last season, South Africa-born Barritt led Saracens to both the English Premiership and European Champions Cup titles, and he now takes the job on a permanent basis.