Jake Friend and Mitchell Pearce have been named Sydney Roosters co-captains for the 2015 NRL season.

Coach Trent Robinson will hope the appointments will bring out the best in the pair given they’ve been embroiled in off-field issues while at the club.

Pearce was dropped by the NSW State of Origin side last year after being involved in a late-night incident in Kings Cross.

In 2009, Friend was fired by the club after his third alcohol-related incident when he was involved in an altercation with a taxi driver.

They replace Anthony Minichiello, who retired at the end of last season.