When Chris Robshaw was named as England captain for the 2012 Six Nations, few outside club rugby had heard of the Harlequins flanker. It had, after all, been more than two-and-a-half years since his only England appearance, and that was only 53 minutes on a summer tour match in Argentina. By the end of the tournament he had made the position his own and was seen as a key part of coach Stuart Lancaster's rebuilding after the shambles of the Rugby World Cup.

He continued as skipper for England's tour of South Africa, where he started the first two Tests, but injury cost him a place in the final game against the Springboks. England lost the series 2-0, with the final game ending in a draw.

A former Millfield student, Robshaw played for England Schools at Under-18 level and subsequently for England Under-21 - part of a squad which completed the Grand Slam in 2006 - and he soon became a regular for Quins. In 2008-09 he was named Guinness Premiership Player of the Year Award (an award he collected again in 2012) and gained a place in the England squad for the trip to Argentina where he made his debut. He later captained England's midweek side on tour in Australia in 2010 but was unable to force his way into a Test 22.

His club form continued to impress and after being promoted to captain with Quins he led them to the 2010-11 Amlin Challenge Cup, while he continued to be in the frame for more international honours without ever quite breaking through. He was called up to Martin Johnson's 45-man training squad ahead of the World Cup but did not make the final cut.

In the aftermath of that debacle England opted for a new and relatively unknown coach, Stuart Lancaster, and he in turn cut all ties with the old regime by choosing Robshaw, someone with a reputation as a wholehearted, uncomplicated captain and a committed player. His stock rose further as he led Quins to a maiden Premiership title later that year, proving their mettle against final regulars Leicester.