Rugby World Cup
Neil Back: Chris Robshaw not good enough for World XV
PA Sport
August 19, 2015
Chris Robshaw will return to skipper England in Saturday's warm-up game against France.
Chris Robshaw will return to skipper England in Saturday's warm-up game against France.© Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Neil Back believes England captain Chris Robshaw is not good enough to be considered among the top five opensides in the world and is adamant he would not make a World XV.

Back is one of Robshaw's most celebrated predecessors in England's number seven jersey, winning 71 caps in an 11-year Test career that peaked when lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003.

And while the World Cup winner still rates Robshaw, he says there are areas of his game that leave him trailing his openside rivals from other nations.

"If you were putting together a world XV, he wouldn't be under consideration," Back said. "Chris has improved and is a very good player, but he's probably not in the top five opensides in the world,"

"As a seven I'd like him to develop his offloading game so that he's not taking the ball into contact so often."

Robshaw, who will lead the tournament hosts throughout this autumn's World Cup, will resume his role as skipper for Saturday's warm-up match against France in Paris after being rested last weekend.

"Robshaw's a good ball carrier, but he takes it into contact too much and that doesn't help the continuity of the team," Back added. "He's improved over the ball, but if you're talking about the world's best players in that regard then he wouldn't be in the conversation.

"But he has grown as a captain, becoming more assured and confident. His support lines have improved, as has his foot speed away from contact, rucks and the set piece."

England, who beat France 19-14 in their most recent meeting without Robshaw, will meet the French side in Paris before concluding their pre-tournament preparations by taking on Ireland on the 5th September.

Robshaw and co then prepare for their first fixture of the World Cup where they take on Fiji a fortnight later at Twickenham.

© PA Sport

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