Robshaw back to his best and banging on Jones’ door once more
The fierce competitive animal still growls loudly within Chris Robshaw and is driving the former England captain to try to regain his Test jersey. It is also motivating him to help Harlequins secure a top-four Premiership spot and ensure they “eat at the top European table” again next season.
Unfortunately for Robshaw, the flying start made by Eddie Jones’s side to the Six Nations, and the outstanding performances by the young back row are reducing his chances of a return during the tournament.
However, the flanker is back banging on the England head coach’s door once more, courtesy of two strong performances since recovering from his long absence through a knee injury.
His powerful, energised display in ensuring Quins gained another vital bonus-point win over Worcester on Saturday was a timely reminder to the likes of Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Brad Shields that there is plenty of life left in Robshaw in the run-in to World Cup selection. “Of course it’s tough when you see your friends playing and doing well. You want to be part of it,” he said.
“As a fierce competitor you want to be able to challenge yourself against the best. I want England to win because I am a fan but I also want to be helping them win. I was there last weekend for the France game. The buzz and energy were superb. Owen Farrell has been incredible, the back row has been very good, and our own boy Kyle Sinckler was outstanding in that first game with Ireland especially.
“The guys have seized the momentum and are rolling with it. Mark Wilson and all the back row are doing extremely well, so I just have to wait for my chance and hope to get an opportunity.”
Robshaw knows that in order to add to his 66 caps, success with his club is crucial. “We want to be at the top table and be challenging for silverware every year,” he said. “But while we may be in third spot we know just how competitive the league is and if we lose a couple of games we could drop right down to eighth or ninth. As a spectator the league is brilliant. As a player you wouldn’t mind a bit more security.”
Worcester, meanwhile, hope to pull themselves further away from relegation danger with victory over Leicester Tigers next weekend having earned a valuable try-bonus point in the defeat by Quins. They are five points clear of basement side Newcastle.
Flanker Ted Hill said: “It’s important we keep picking up the points even when we lose. But we have Tigers at Sixways and we need to win our home games to try and climb away from the bottom.”