Robshaw is the current England captain having been handed the captaincy for the opening two games of the 2012 Six Nations by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster.

A former Millfield student, Robshaw had also played for England Schools U18 before making his Harlequins first XV debut during the 2005-06 season, scoring two tries in a 42-3 victory over Pertemps Bees at the Stoop.

He was also part of the England U21 squad that won the 2006 Six Nations Grand Slam, playing in England's first thee matches before a broken leg ruled him out for the rest of the tournament. Fortunately he recovered in time to travel to France for the 2006 IRB U21 World Championship.

After securing a regular place in the Quins back row, he received his England Saxons call up for the 2008 Churchill Cup. Alongside his club team mates Will Skinner and Tom Guest, he played in all three matches, including the final against Scotland A which England won 36-19 to defend their crown.

He was an ever-present for Harlequins during the 2008-09 season and capped a stand out year with the Guinness Premiership Player of the Year Award and a place in the England squad to play the Barbarians and Argentina. Robshaw subsequently made his Test debut in England's second Test against the Pumas at Salta in June 2009. Robshaw later captained England's midweek side on tour in Australia in 2010 but was unable to force his way into a Test 22.

Robshaw enjoyed a hugely successful 2010-11 season with Harlequins, leading them to victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup. While he has not added to his one cap for the national side yet, Robshaw's name is still very much in the England frame. He was called up to Martin Johnson's 45-man training squad in June 2011.

Robshaw failed to make the cut but was lauded for his attitude during training. And from the outset of the 2011-12 season, Robshaw was gaining plaudits for his role as skipper of the Quins side who broke all the records with their 14-match unbeaten run. Robshaw's form led to calls for him not only to feature in the Six Nations squad but also skipper England, an honour he was handed on the eve of the Championship.

He was named to lead the defending champions into their first game against Scotland making him one of the least experienced players to have led England. Only four less experienced players have captained England - Fred Stokes (1871), Fred Alderson (1891), Joe Mycock (1947) and Nigel Melville (1984) all of whom were uncapped.