Friday 20 January 2017 20:55, UK
Owen Farrell would be an excellent choice as England captain in Dylan Hartley's absence, according to Alex Corbisiero.
Fly-half Farrell has been tipped as an option for the captaincy should Hartley not be passed fit for England's opening game of the Six Nations against France on February 4.
The Northampton hooker has been suspended since early December, and his fitness levels are being closely monitored by head coach Eddie Jones.
Jones this week spoke of Farrell as the preferred option should Hartley not make the grade, saying: "The captaincy is not a permanent position."
Corbisiero, who played in the front row at Franklin's Gardens alongside Hartley and has been in both England and Lions squads with Farrell, believes the number 10 would be a good choice.
"I think if there's no Dylan then I would fully back Owen to be captain," Corbisiero told Sky Sports News HQ. "I've played with him and even at a young age he spoke well and he leads by example - he commands men to follow him.
"He's definitely a natural leader. There's a lot of his dad in him, when you hear him speak, they're both very captivating and have good leadership qualities.
"I don't think they lack leaders but Eddie Jones likes to throw down the gauntlet and he likes to set challenges.
"He's expecting players to answer that call now. There are guys who will have thought they had leadership roles in that team and they'll be questioning that now, which will bring out the best in them.
"I think it's an opportunity for guys to prove themselves and fill in the voids where there are some."
