Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw is ready to answer his country's call and lead England into their opening RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland on February 4.
The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the leading contenders to captain England in the Calcutta Cup showdown, particularly with Northampton flanker Tom Wood sidelined by a toe injury. Dylan Hartley and Tom Croft are the other realistic candidates from the new leadership group assembled by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster during England's training week in Leeds.
"I feel I have definitely evolved and grown with experience," said Robshaw, who was England's midweek captain on their Antipodean tour in 2010.
"In my first couple of games I was probably a bit nervous and looked around at players who had been to World Cup finals or were 10 years older than me.
"It can be quite a daunting time for a young guy but it is all about doing it in the way you want to do it.
"Of course you have people trying to influence things, but at the end of the day, you have to make those hard decisions and it is about experience.
"You learn how to speak to the ref and you learn how to speak to certain players - whether a player needs to be shouted at or have an arm put around his shoulder.
"These things don't happen overnight but I feel I have grown into the role. I would relish the chance to captain the side at Murrayfield."
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Never heard of any of these players - but that can't be all bad. At least they sound like English chaps by their names - Toms and Robs galore (dunno about Dylan, though!). New captain sounds a bit of a novice - against Scotland? - but again, has the solid names (Rob Shaw?) and looks for it...Can't be any worse than it has been for 20 years.
I agree, Dylan can be a liability if he can't keep a cool head. Robshaw is a good choice.
Dylan in the running for captain? Hahahaha. Are thye giving him it so he controls his own temper?
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