Conor O’Shea comments on Chris Robshaw’s captaincy and leadership skills

On Chris Robshaw v Wales

“The leadership in the tunnel at the Millennium Stadium may go down as one of the most defining moments of Chris Robshaw’s captaincy reign.”

“Games are not won and lost then (in the tunnel), they are won and lost by decisions that are taken every minute of the game. However, what a moment like that one in the tunnel does show, is a player and leader completely comfortable with where and who they are.

On the change of captain at Harlequins

“There have been many lessons along the way both for club and country and this season, given the sheer enormity of the year ahead for him personally, we took the decision to let him focus on being Chris Robshaw, the player for Harlequins. For four years he had captained the club, for three seasons he had captained both club and country. At Harlequins, his role is to now help Joe Marler develop as a leader, just as Nick Easter, Nick Evans, Danny Care, George Robson, the coaches and others have helped him.“

On England’s start to the 6 Nations

“There really is a depth to the talent and leadership group now within the England team and the opening wins against Wales and Italy will allow Stuart Lancaster to develop even greater competition for places. He will have some tough calls to make come World Cup time and the rest of the 6 Nations and this year’s QBE Internationals will be the last chance for players to put down their marker for selection.”

On the England Squad

“They always say if you could put the head of an old player on the body of a young player it would be the perfect fit. This England team have a lot of inexperienced players but over the past two years they have also developed a depth of experience in key positions that make them very dangerous.”

Conor O’Shea was speaking exclusively to QBErugby.com. To read the full blog, click here.