Chris Robshaw moving on from England's World Cup exit with Harlequins
Saturday 26 December 2015 13:02, UK
Chris Robshaw admits Harlequins' form has helped him move on from England's disappointing World Cup campaign.
Robshaw returns to Twickenham on Sunday for the first time since England's defeat to Australia which saw the host nation knocked out of the tournament at the group stage.
The 29-year-old said he was unsure of his position as England captain under Eddie Jones, who replaced Stuart Lancaster in November, ahead of the Six Nations in February.
Ahead of Harlequins' game against Gloucester, the flanker said his club form has helped him move on from England's dismal World Cup showing.
"If I had come back and we were losing every game I am sure it would be a much different situation," he said.
"But there is a great vibe here and it is a good place to be. Coming back here, playing a good brand of rugby in front of 70, 80,000 people, doesn't get much better."
Robshaw believes Quins have built a "special" squad to compete at the same level as English champions Saracens.
Harlequins have recruited heavily since finishing eighth in the Aviva Premiership last season with former Australia captain James Horwill, Welsh pair Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones and Scotland wing Tim Visser among those to move to the Twickenham Stoop.
The early signs have been positive with Quins occupying a top-four position and Robshaw believes they are in a good position to challenge for the title.
"Conor (O'Shea, Quins director of rugby) has expressed his frustration over the last couple of years that we have not been able to bring in some of those big names," he added.
"But when our team sheet gets released for the Big Game you look at that team and it is pretty special - there are threats across the board. That is what we have been needing.
"When we won the Premiership (2011-12 season) we had a pretty good team but we did not have the core squad.
"As much as I hate to use them as an example you look at Saracens and they rotate players. They manage to keep them fresh and produce them at the right time."
