George Robson admits it is a 'massive honour' to captain England, while praising the inspiration of regular skipper Chris Robshaw.
Robson delighted to lead England against Southern Barbarians
George Robson admits it is a 'massive honour' to captain England, while praising the inspiration of regular skipper Chris Robshaw.
The uncapped Harlequins lock will captain Stuart Lancaster's side on Wednesday in their tour match against the Southern Barbarians in Kimberley.
He feels he has the perfect role model in Quins team-mate and skipper Robshaw, who, along with the rest of the side that started last Saturday's opening Test loss to South Africa in Durban, will sit out as a changed team look to secure England's first win of the tour.
Robson said: "Chris is a great leader. He leads the side very well on the pitch and it is all about performance.
"You have got to play well if you are in that leadership role because that is the most important thing.
"Chris came to me when I first got the chance to skipper Quins and it was the same over here as well.
"He had a word with me and he said, 'Look - the reason you are captain and the reason you are in any side is because of what you have been doing and you don't want to change any of that'."
Notable double
Head coach Lancaster's decision to hand the midweek captaincy to Robson represents a notable double for Harlequins, the Aviva Premiership champions, with Robshaw the tour's main leader.
Quins also had nine players in the original 42-man squad - a figure reduced by the departure of Mike Brown due to injury but which still underlines the London club's strong season.
Robson added: "It is a massive honour and something I am really proud of. I have had lots of messages from people back home - my family and my team-mates at Quins.
"It has been really special but I am also aware I have got some great leaders around me so I am looking forward to it.
"It is also a great reflection of what has been going on at Quins."
