Robshaw vows to support successor if he loses England captaincy

Chris Robshaw insists he will give his complete backing to his successor if new England coach Eddie Jones decides to relieve him of the captaincy.
Harlequins flanker Robshaw is expected to be stripped of the captain's armband for the forthcoming Six Nations tournament and Dylan Hartley is favourite to take over the role.

Robshaw, 29, was widely criticised for a lacklustre World Cup campaign as hosts England suffered an embarrassing pool stage exit.

That dismal campaign brought an end to Stuart Lancaster's reign as England coach and prompted Jones' arrival.

Robshaw is not Jones' preferred openside, instead the number six jersey is his most likely home and he knows he must focus on ensuring his ongoing presence in England's back row.

"I'm not sure what will happen with the captaincy, that's down to Eddie. If Eddie continues with me as captain I'd be hugely honoured," Robshaw said on Wednesday.

"If he decides to go to someone else then I'd respect that decision and fully back the person who comes in.

"As a player you want to be part of that team and my mentality is to first and foremost make sure I'm part of that team.

"That has to be the focus, to make sure I'm playing. Yes the World Cup didn't go according to plan, but it's still a very exciting group of players that England have.

"We didn't perform as well as could have, but there's a huge amount of potential there."
Source: AFP