Exclusive – Kay backs Robshaw for England captaincy

Ben Kay believes Chris Robshaw’s captaincy of Harlequins has proved he can take on the mantle for the England team.

Lewis Moody has since retired from the role after a disastrous tournament for the Red Rose in New Zealand, where Martin Johnson’s men limped out at the quarter-final stage.

But it was off-field issues which most undermined the tour with various players involved in serious incidents and Kay claims Robshaw’s fresh approach to the set-up might be just what the England team needs.

“My personal preference is Chris Robshaw,” Kay said when asked who should captain the national side. “The only problem is that he’s only been capped once [on tour in Argentina], so you’re throwing someone into the England set-up proper for the first time in a big match and you’re asking them to captain the side.

“He’s a fantastic leader, he gets his team on the front foot and he’s more 'actions than words' which is what England need at the moment.

“He’s got the benefit that it’s a new squad and new era, you can afford to have someone coming in with a fresh perspective.”