Robshaw – It’s a huge honour

Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw has been handed the England captaincy for their first two Six Nations matches.

Those studying their online scratch cards note how England open their campaign when they travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland on Saturday with a radically changed team of both playing and coaching staff from the one that flopped so badly at the World Cup in New Zealand at the end of last year.

The 25-year-old flanker only has one cap to his name, but is now likely to get a good run in the team following the retirement of former captain, Lewis Moody.

Harlequins currently find themselves sitting at the top of the Aviva Premiership, thanks largely to the captaincy of Robshaw.

And the former England Saxons ace has admitted his delight to be offered the chance to follow in the footsteps of some former greats.

“It is a huge honour and a very proud day,” he said. “It’s not about myself because there are six or seven guys around me who all have a massive role to play – there’s lots of other leaders in the group.”

Robshaw says his side will be well prepared when it comes to kick-off against Scotland on Saturday, with new head coach Stuart Lancaster and his assistants Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell having already spoken to him.

“Stuart, Graham and Andy have given us the game plan,” the new captain admitted. “It is up to us to get it across to the other players to drive the standards and the squad forward in the right way.”

Lancaster says that Robshaw will prove to be a shrewd appointment as captain, and believes he does in fact have the necessary experience to lead his team, although he will not be the only one to be doing so.

He said: “We have a strong leadership group and I have been very impressed with the way they have all stepped up so far.

“Chris is a key member of that group and has shown with Harlequins and when I have worked with him in the Saxons that he can lead a team tactically and passionately.”

Former England star, Jeremy Guscott has come forward to give his backing to Robshaw ahead of the game.

“Chris Robshaw is captain of a Quins side that is top of the Premiership,” he said. “[He] has a good work ethic and is playing with skill and ambition.

“Robshaw’s the captain but Lancaster has mentioned the likes of Tom Croft, Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden – these guys are going to be helping Robshaw in setting the tone for the squad.”

Following the Scotland game, England will have a week to recover before they travel to face Italy at the 75,000 capacity Stadio Olimpico in Rome.