Tuesday 1 December 2015 07:36, UK
Will Greenwood cannot envisage Chris Robshaw captaining England in next year's Six Nations, but feels he can still force his way into the match-day squad for their opening game against Scotland.
Robshaw has moved to blindside flanker for Harlequins since returning from World Cup duty and Conor O'Shea described him as 'one of the outstanding back-row forwards in this country' following Saturday's defeat at Exeter.
Eddie Jones officially takes over as England coach on Tuesday and Robshaw's performances for Quins won't have gone unnoticed, but Greenwood doesn't expect the 29-year-old to retain the England captaincy.
The 2003 World Cup winner told Rugby Club: "Chris Robshaw has worn the No 7 jersey for Harlequins over the last couple of years but in reality he's been mostly playing at six. Conor O'Shea has been understanding of the situation and taken the flak away from his captain.
Do I envisage Chris Robshaw being captain when England walk out at Murrayfield in February? No.
"Robshaw is now wearing No 6 and is comfortable in that jersey. The most important thing for Chris Robshaw over the course of the next six weeks is to get back into the England squad, and that's the case for all the players. When you get a new coach you have got to get into the squad first.
"The Robshaw debate will clearly not go away until Eddie Jones announces his captain probably two weeks before England play Scotland at Murrayfield.
"Do I envisage Chris Robshaw being captain when England walk out at Murrayfield in February? No. Can I see him being in the match-day 23? It's much more likely than being captain."
If Robshaw does not continue as England captain, Greenwood says Wasps forward Joe Launchbury is the favourite to succeed him.
"Let Jones pick the 30 best players in England, two in each position," he said. "Who gets in the team and who does everyone respect, and if we were picking a world XV, who has got their hand up?
"For me, Joe Launchbury is one that keeps rising to the top."
