Falcons’ ace is making Mark with England

MARK Wilson is firmly established as England’s first-choice blindside flanker after Chris Robshaw was told he must eclipse his rival if he is to reclaim the jersey.

Robshaw has been included in Eddie Jones’ Guinness Six Nations training squad for the first time this year after proving his fitness from the knee injury sustained in October.

The 32-year-old will take part in sessions at the start of the week before discovering whether he is to play any further part in preparations for Saturday’s clash with Italy.

That prospect appears unlikely after Newcastle Falcon Wilson took advantage of his injury to make himself an indispensable part of England’s back row, primarily as a No 8 during the autumn series but this year at six.

Also competing for the position is Brad Shields, the former Hurricanes flanker who is favoured by the management despite an indifferent first season at Wasps.

Assistant coach Neal Hatley said. “Mark and Chris are very high-workrate players.

“In the autumn Mark (pictured left) took a step up from a carrying point of view.

“We played him at eight where there are more opportunities to carry.

“From a work rate point of view both are pretty similar but at the moment Mark has that position and he has grasped it with both hands. The others have to chase him down.

“He is an unbelievably proud Englishman, he has real competitive desire to make tackles and then to get up and compete for the ball. He has been outstanding.”

Robshaw won the most recent of his 66 caps during last summer’s tour to South Africa but has slipped down the pecking order with the World Cup looming.

He made his comeback for Harlequins against Saracens and was watched by Hatley in Saturday’s 31-29 victory at Bath.

He added: “Chris looked good. Physically he is in as good a shape as we have seen him.

“He is in really good condition. Last weekend he made 28/30 tackles and got two turnovers.

“He has come back in good shape and his big challenge now is to add value.”