O’Shea looks forward as ’Quins put out welcome mat for Leinster

ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw doesn’t pay a blind bit of notice to the constant criticism surrounding him, says Harlequins coach Conor O’Shea. who claims the pair joke about the frequent, trenchant critiques about the 28-year-old back row (below) who first skippered his country in January 2012.

‘We laugh about it,’ said O’Shea. ‘I talked about it more two or three years ago when he was learning to come to terms with it [England captaincy], but now it’s pretty much the norm.

‘I met up with one of the international coaches, I won’t say which country, when they were over in London this month and they were just talking about him post- match and they said until they really watched him and analysed him, they just didn’t realise how good he was and that’s what he is.

‘He is a dynamo. Is he the athletic specimen that runs 90 yards? No. But he is the bloke that keeps going and does all the little things well. He is an unbelievable competitor.

‘There is just so much media, not just England but around the world now. To stand out, people might want to write about someone that people will read and, as England captain, Chris will probably be at the forefront.

‘It’s an easy column when you are searching for something to stand out. England captaincy – cricket, football, rugby – is huge that is one of the reasons for the attention.

‘Leinster will be Chris’ 200th game for the club and that is a hell of an achievement with the injuries he has had and his youth, but he has gone through a lot. He’s just an unbelievable bloke to have around.

‘He will settle straight back in [after England duty] and will lead the team out as it will be his 200th game, but Joe Marler will be the captain.’