Coach Stuart Lancaster privately canvassed opinion among the squad’s leaders over whether Robshaw was the man to take England forward after his omission from the Lions squad. But, after winning their unanimous backing, he was handed the role again.
The Harlequins captain relinquished the post to Tom Wood when he was rested for the summer tour to Argentina, but he will lead England for the 17th time in Lancaster’s 20 Tests as coach when they face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday week.
“I do think that the captain has to have a presence and respect in the group from everyone who is there and Chris has that undoubtedly,†said Lancaster. “I met Tom Wood and talked it through with him. I met Owen Farrell, Toby Flood and Dylan Hartley and they all respect him as a player and as a captain.
“Eighty per cent of the captaincy selection process revolves around whether the guy is guaranteed his place in the team. While others have pushed him, I still feel he is the right person.
“When you are captaining England there is a bigger role to play other than just on-field. Chris’s experience of doing it over the last 12 months will help him become better again. He will be better this time round.
“Tom Wood has only captained twice and it is a big ask for someone to make all those on-field decisions, get them right and get a feel for the game. It is a different skill.
“I’ve not made any assurances beyond the QBE Tests and my mindset is to make sure that some other players have experience of captaining the team but, at the moment, there is no need to do that.â€
Robshaw last led England out against Wales in March when a painful defeat cost them the Six Nations. It has been a long wait to get that out of his system but he believes the experience will ultimately make him and England stronger on the road to a home World Cup in two years’ time.
Article source: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/toby-faletau-backs-wales-rugby-6235794
England squad have faith in reinstated captain Chris Robshaw
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