Chris Robshaw is the favourite to retain the England captaincy © PA Photos

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Chris Robshaw is poised to retain the England captaincy when Stuart Lancaster confirms his choice of skipper later today.

Robshaw will reportedly fend off Tom Wood's claims for the captaincy according to reports in both the Daily Mail and the Mirror. Robshaw last captained England back in the 2013 Six Nations when he played in their 30-3 demolition at the hands of Wales.

He then missed out on a spot in the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour to Australia and was rested by England while Lancaster took the side to Argentina. With Robshaw out, the England coach handed Wood the captain's armband and he led them to both of their Test wins over the Pumas.

But despite Quins' indifferent start to the season, Robshaw is the favourite to captain England into their three-Test November series which starts against Australia on November 2.

Robshaw has been Lancaster's main choice as captaincy since he took the reins ahead of the 2012 Six Nations and the Quins skipper is eager to continue in the role. "It is one of the biggest honours you can have to lead your country," Robshaw told the Daily Mail. "Whether it is myself or someone else, it is a huge honour."

And his Harlequins coach Conor O'Shea has also added his weight behind the claims. "What Chris has done over the last couple of years as a player and a leader stands up to scrutiny," O'Shea told the Mirror. "The experience he has gained of the ups and downs of dealing with the media and of having to deal with the pressure that comes with that position, I think is invaluable.

"There is a home World Cup in less than two years and it's going to be a pressure cooker. Having led for a couple of years already I think makes Chris the ideal man. The more hostile the environment, the harder it is, the more he steps up. For me that's what you want from a leader. Do people follow him? Yes they do."