Sunday 21 September 2014 13:39, UK
Chris Robshaw is shrugging off renewed speculation about his position as England's captain and openside.
Just a few games into what is a World Cup season Robshaw’s place is already being questioned by some pundits.
The Harlequins flanker was outplayed by Saracens' Will Fraser in a game that saw Harlequins crushed 39-0.
But he looked back to his best in spearheading Saturday's 26-23 Aviva Premiership victory over Wasps with an all-action display, with a try the icing on the cake.
Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea later spoke of the "cheap, uneducated and ill-informed" comments made in the media and questioned whether there was an agenda against his flanker.
The situation is nothing new to Robshaw. Matt Kvesic was being tipped to replace him but the Gloucester man has been comprehensively seen off by Robshaw, has have the captaincy claims of Northampton back-row Tom Wood.
"It's been no different from year to year....in fact it's been pretty similar for me for the past three seasons," Robshaw said.
"The fact I've been through it before helps. After you've been through it a couple of times your shoulders get broader and you surround yourself with good people.
"There's no magic formula to this type of stuff. You crack on and work hard and you improve your game.
"All I can do is go out there and put in the performances, not worry about what's being written and said.
"You have sympathy when it's written about other guys and when it's written about yourself, your team-mates show you the same support.
"I've been through a lot of it before like many players have. You stay away from it and focus on your game.
"It was nice to get a try against Wasps, even though it was probably from minus two metres! It's just good to win the game."
Fraser could be the player to apply pressure if two injury-ravaged years have been truly put behind him and James Haskell appears to be revelling in his new role as Wasps captain.
"As players, and international players, we are there to be shot at," Robshaw said.
"You speak about how hard it is to get there - well it's even harder to stay there. There are always a lot of people nipping at your heels."
Haskell, a star of last weekend's shock win against champions Northampton, was superb again at Twickenham Stoop.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young refused to be drawn into analysing the Haskell v Robshaw duel, but had a kind word for Quins' openside.
"Haskell is easily our most effective performer in the tackle area," Young said. "He tops our tackle count every week and he's taken to the captaincy like a duck to water.
"It's not for me to talk about another team's player, but it's very rare that Chris Robshaw doesn't play very well."