Robshaw handed captaincy

The 25-year-old Harlequins skipper was handed the armband for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener at Murrayfield, despite having only been capped once by his country.

"I am delighted that he has got this chance at the highest level and I know it will be a very proud moment for him."
Stuart Lancaster on Robshaw Quotes of the week

Fellow flanker Tom Wood was interim boss Lancaster's first choice to lead his new-look England, but the Northampton star will miss the start of the championship with a toe injury.

As a result, Lancaster announced that Robshaw would lead the side for the first two games of the tournament at least against Scotland and Italy.

Robshaw is one of the least experienced players in international terms ever to have captained England, although they have previously been led by four uncapped players.

After being named Guinness Premiership Player of the Year three years ago, he was awarded his sole cap in that summer's defeat to Argentina.

He also played in a loss against the Barbarians two weeks earlier but has not featured for his country since the second Test against the Pumas in 2009.

Huge honour

"It's a huge honour and a very proud day - hopefully one that will live in my memory for a long time to come," Robshaw stated. "Thanks to everyone who has helped me, especially Quins.

"There's a lot of other leaders in the group and they have been great since we met up. It's not about myself because there are six or seven guys around me who all have massive roles to play, whether that's bossing scrums, line-outs, defence...

"Stuart, Graham (Rowntree, scrum coach) and Andy (Farrell, backs coach) have given us the game plan an it's up to us to get it across to the other players to drive the standards and the squad forward in the right way."

Former England Saxons boss Lancaster 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.

"I am delighted that he has got this chance at the highest level and I know it will be a very proud moment for him, his club, family and friends when he leads England out at Murrayfield on Saturday."

Despite being tipped by many to take the armband, Lancaster admitted the decision was not a straight-forward one.

"It was a very difficult decision," he said. "But we slept on it over the weekend and we felt Chris was the right man. He's got great support in Dylan Hartley, Tom Croft, Ben Youngs, Ben Foden etc.

"Dylan was really, really pleased for Chris and will be a great lieutenant to him - he's captained Northampton - as will Tom Croft, who has been very impressive during the week.

"Chris's experience, what he has done for Harlequins this year and my knowledge of him, and how he has fitted into the group - he's a natural leader - tipped it in his favour."