New England captain Robshaw eager to make up for lost time
NEW England captain Chris Robshaw doubted he would ever represent his country again following his omission from last year’s World Cup squad.
The 25-year-old Harlequins skipper was yesterday installed as England captain for the first two matches of the Six Nations by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Robshaw was snubbed by previous head coach Martin Johnson and admitted he used that disappointment as a motivating factor going into the new season. “You don’t get many opportunities to play for your country so it was a very hard to take,” Robshaw (inset) said. “I used that motivation going back to Harlequins, but of course you doubt yourself.”
Lancaster, insisted he had no hesitation handing the captaincy to a player who will win only his second cap against Scotland on Saturday, but was coy when asked whether Tom Wood, out injured for at least the opening two matches of the tournament, was his first choice for the role.
“Tom hasn’t trained so we didn’t get a chance to get that point,” said Lancaster. “Tom’s priority is to get fit again and get into the team.”