Chris Robshaw has admitted that watching Tom Curry and Sam Underhill star at the World Cup convinced him his England career is at an end.
Only Will Carling has captained the Red Rose nation more than Robshaw, who led his country to 26 wins in 43 Tests in charge.
But he missed out on the tournament in Japan, where ‘Kamikaze Kids’ Curry and Underhill turned in a back row masterclass during England’s march to the final.
Robshaw admits he was hugely impressed seeing the young pair – just 21 and 23 years of age respectively – make such a mark on rugby’s biggest stage.
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“They were both brilliant, potentially England’s players of the tournament,” he said. “They were superb throughout the whole thing, not just the odd game.”
It left Robshaw, now 33 and in the final year of his contract at Harlequins, conceding: “I’m a realist.
“I’d bite anyone’s hand off for another shot at international rugby but I think that with the back row options England now have, unfortunately they’ll go elsewhere.
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“These guys are the future. Of course I’d love to have that opportunity again. You always want to play for your country, win more caps and play at Twickenham.
“But unfortunately I think that door is closed, though it won’t be for the lack of trying on my part.”
Robshaw skippered England for four years under Stuart Lancaster. He will be remembered for the nation’s 2015 World Cup flop, but also for an impressive show of character bouncing back under Eddie Jones.
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To put such massive disappointment behind him and star in England’s 2016 Grand Slam and historic series sweep of Australia later that year was a measure of the man.
“I loved playing for my country, I was extremely honoured to do so,” he said. “I’ve had some massive highs, some big lows as well. You’re only ever a custodian of that shirt. Unfortunately there comes a time that somebody else takes it on.
“The exciting thing about this England side is probably two-thirds can go to another World Cup. They are the right age and there’s a lot of people knocking on the door.”
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The contenders, Robshaw believes, includes Quins clubmate Alex Dombrandt, 22, who has started his club career with a bang.
“He’s definitely a player for the present and for the future,” said his fellow back rower. “Whether he goes straight into England’s Six Nations squad I don’t now, but I’m sure there will be an opportunity for him. He’s very much ready.”
Robshaw faces decision time this Christmas over what he does next. All he seems certain about is that a move into coaching is not for him.
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“In the next month or so I’ll have to decide,” he said. “I need to have big sit down over Christmas and think things through.
“Would I go into coaching? No I don’t think so. To be a good coach you have to love coaching and I don’t get that full buzz out of it.”
MOST SUCCESSFUL ENGLAND CAPTAINS
(19 Tests or more)
1) Martin Johnson P39 W34 L5 %87.17
2) Dylan Hartley P30 W25 D1 L4 %85.00
3) Will Carling P59 W44 D1 L14 %75.42
4) Owen Farrell P19 W12 D1 L6 %65.78
5) Chris Robshaw P43 W26 L17 %60.46
