Captain Robshaw excited by youngsters’ potential
CHRIS ROBSHAW has said he was unsure whether he would lead England again after the 2015 World Cup.
Robshaw will captain England for the first time since that World Cup upset, in Sunday’s game against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.
The Harlequins flanker will share captaincy duties with George Ford, and is relishing the chance to lead England for the first time in almost two years.
Robshaw was stood down when Eddie Jones took the helm after the World Cup, but the 30-year-old has since steadily reaffirmed his standing in Jones’s squad.
Robshaw said: “There’s a huge amount of potential in this young side, and it’s the perfect preparation for us to go over to Argentina.
“The World Cup was a long time ago now, and as soon as Eddie asked myself and George we were both looking forward to it.
“It’s a new challenge for us both, and we’re excited and looking forward to Sunday.”
Robshaw’s Test future had been plunged into doubt after the dismal 2015 World Cup campaign, where England became the worst-performing hosts in tournament history.
His situation became more clouded after the departure of Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team, with Jones taking the helm and swiftly appointing hooker Dylan Hartley as his captain.
But Jones took Robshaw out for coffee, to explain that decision – and tell the hardgrafting back-rower to fight to secure his place in the England set-up.
England then set about building a record 18-Test winning streak, with Robshaw proving pivotal to a new-look back row and having shifted to blindside flanker.