London Wasps get their Aviva Premiership campaign underway against local rivals Harlequins on Saturday with Chris Bell as the new club captain.

The centre has been with the side since 2010 and was rewarded over the summer by being named skipper at Adams Park.

Sports Mole sat down with the 30-year-old at Twickenham Stadium for the launch of the new season to get his views on the year ahead.

What is the mood like in the squad ahead of the opening match?

"There's a real sense of everyone wanting to get going. Everyone is feeling good and we can't wait to get going. The break is really good, you get the time to mentally and physically recharge and it's just a case of preparing yourself. I can't wait to start. Competition in the squad has been very fierce. It's been very competitive. There's two or three players vying for each spot."

What are the aims for the club this season?

"We need to keep improving. We did well last season but we tailed off towards the end. We want to keep pushing forward and that's what all of our training is based around."

Is a good start to the campaign important?

"You want to hit the ground running. It's a bit of a cliche but you take each game as it comes, and it is the kind of league where you need to do that. You can't look too far ahead. A big start is important though."

Will being captain change what you do out on the pitch?

"I'm not going to change too much. I was fairly vocal last season but, luckily, I'm not going to be the only voice within the squad. There are plenty of experienced players who can lead very well and we will manage it as a group. You don't want to hear the same guy banging on throughout the season and it's important that you have different voices.

"It's a great honour, a huge honour, and I'm really pleased that the coach asked me to be captain."

Do you have any personal ambitions this year?

"I want to lead Wasps as far as I can. I'm the captain of the club and I want to try to get us as high in the league as possible. The aim is to turn out each week, give a good performance for Wasps and if anything comes of that then brilliant."