Quins' Robshaw will set right example (From Kingston Guardian)

Quins' Robshaw will set right example

12:00pm Wednesday 28th July 2010

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England full-back Delon Armitage has backed new Quins skipper Chris Robshaw to enjoy a long reign as director of rugby Conor O’Shea’s on-field lieutenant.

The 24-year-old was last week named as Will Skinner’s successor at the Stoop having impressed as mid-week captain for team boss Martin Johnson’s men Down Under this summer.

Hampton-based Armitage has experience of Robshaw’s credentials having played under the former Warlingham Rugby Club youngster in a 28-28 draw with the Australia Barbarians and a 35-28 defeat to the New Zealand Maori.

He reckons the rising star is unlucky to still be plying his trade with the international second string, but he is the right man for the job for his club.

“He is quite straight forward and has the potential to be a great captain for a very long time at Harlequins,” he said.

“He captained the mid-week side really well and is another player who can count himself unlucky not to be in the elite squad.

“You always want you captain to lead by example and there is no-one better at doing that than Chris.

“He runs around the pitch all day, tackles everything that moves. Chris will go on to be a great player.”

Armitage has endured mixed fortunes since returning from injury and finds himself behind Ben Foden in the pecking order for his country.

His position is not too dissimilar to British Lions Test star Ugo Monye, who has been dropped to the Saxons, and a host of others vying for a spot in the England starting line-up.

And Armitage believes that can only bode well for next year’s World Cup.

“There is plenty of strength in depth at the moment. There are players chomping at the bit to get in and we are going to be in good shape for next year if everyone stays fit,” he added.

“I was disappointed with my season last year and perhaps naively played for England a bit too soon.

“Ben is where I was a year ago. Getting the shirt is the easy bit, keeping it is much harder.

“Back then he was breathing down my neck and now it is my turn to do the same to him.”

Armitage will be at Old Deer Park Recreation Ground on Saturday taking part in the O2 Rugby Reunion touch rugby event designed to get people back into the game.

For more information or to enter a team go to facebook.com/o2ukofficial or simply turn up on the day.

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