O’Shea backing embattled Robshaw

Editor

Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O'Shea, has expressed his support for embattled English captain Chris Robshaw.

Robshaw has been one of the targets of the ruthless English media following the hosts early exit from the Rugby World Cup.

However, O'Shea has leapt to his players defence, saying that he deserves to retain the captaincy whatever the fallout.

"I would always want him to be my captain," O'Shea is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"We took the captaincy off him at Quins to help him deal with the pressures and now it's clear what those pressures are.

"I wanted him as mentally fresh as he could be, I wanted him relaxed for what we knew would be the toughest period of his life.

"Did anybody pay any attention to the reasons why I made that decision? No. It's why it was done. What does Chris need to do now? I'm sure there will be loads of scrutiny, opinion, loads of 'change 15 players' blah, blah, blah.

"But he just needs to play well for Quins, he needs to be successful and then everything will look after itself.

"That's what got him to where he was and that's what will keep him where he is. His ambition will do the same for him all over again."

Robshaw will lead out England when they play Uruguay in their final World Cup match at Manchester City Stadium on Saturday.