'I think that door is closed': Former England captain Chris Robshaw delivers verdict on international future
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has conceded it’s unlikely that he’ll ever play for his country again following the rise of young flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill.
Robshaw, who last played for Eddie Jones’ side against South Africa last June, currently stands as England’s second-most experienced skipper of all-time, after having led his nation to 26 wins from 43 tests in charge.
However, his experience wasn’t enough to win him selection for England’s World Cup squad in Japan earlier this year, with Curry and Underhill – labelled by Jones as the ‘Kamikaze Kids’ – providing a masterclass throughout the tournament in the No. 6 and No. 7 jerseys.
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The youngsters’ staunch defensive presence and immense work rate at the World Cup garnered plenty of admirers worldwide, and Robshaw was among those in awe of the 21-year-old’s and 23-year-old’s exploits on rugby’s grandest stage.
“They were both brilliant, potentially England’s players of the tournament,” he said, according to the Mirror.
“They were superb throughout the whole thing, not just the odd game.”
Kiwi Nick Williams is known for being one of the hardest men in Welsh rugby but was reduced to tears this week after receiving a very special Christmas gift from @cardiff_blues.https://t.co/ZaZbfuBk5H
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Now at the age of 33 and in the final year of his contract with club side Harlequins, the Robshaw admitted that his time in the England jersey is likely to be all but over thanks to the emergence of Curry and Underhill.
“I’m a realist,” Robshaw said.
“I’d bite anyone’s hand off for another shot at international rugby but I think that with the back row options England now have, unfortunately they’ll go elsewhere.
“These guys are the future. Of course I’d love to have that opportunity again. You always want to play for your country, win more caps and play at Twickenham.
“But unfortunately I think that door is closed, though it won’t be for the lack of trying on my part.”
Under former coach Stuart Lancaster, the 66-cap veteran captained England for four years, and was at the helm during his country’s ill-fated 2015 World Cup campaign, of which they failed to emerge from the pool stage in front of their home fans.
Robshaw showed great strength of character in returning to the international arena in the wake of England’s downfall, however, as he went on to play a further 24 tests for England between 2016 and 2018 following their premature exit from the tournament.
In that time, he played a starring role in England’s 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and historic series sweep of the Wallabies during their tour of Australia later that year.
“I loved playing for my country, I was extremely honoured to do so,” Robshaw said, as reported by the Mirror.
“I’ve had some massive highs, some big lows as well. You’re only ever a custodian of that shirt. Unfortunately there comes a time that somebody else takes it on.
“The exciting thing about this England side is probably two-thirds can go to another World Cup. They are the right age and there’s a lot of people knocking on the door.”
Robshaw highlighted 22-year-old Harlequins teammate Alex Dombrandt as among those to be in the mix for the loose forward contingent when the 2023 World Cup in France rolls around.
“He’s definitely a player for the present and for the future,” he said of his fellow back rower.
“Whether he goes straight into England’s Six Nations squad I don’t now, but I’m sure there will be an opportunity for him. He’s very much ready.”
With the expiration date looming on his Harlequins contract, Robshaw is yet to make a decision regarding his post-rugby future, although a move into coaching has been ruled out of the equation.
“In the next month or so I’ll have to decide,” he said.
“I need to have big sit down over Christmas and think things through.
“Would I go into coaching? No I don’t think so. To be a good coach you have to love coaching and I don’t get that full buzz out of it.”
Robshaw could be in action again as early as this Saturday as Harlequins resume their Premiership campaign against Wasps at Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments