England
Eddie Jones will relieve Chris Robshaw as England captain - Kyran Bracken
PA Sport
November 20, 2015

New head coach Eddie Jones is likely to relieve Chris Robshaw of the England captaincy and turn to a new leader, according to Kyran Bracken.

Australian Jones was announced as Stuart Lancaster's successor on Friday, and former England scrum-half Bracken thinks losing the captaincy will actually work in Robshaw's favour and that there may still be a place for him in the England pack, at No.6 instead of openside flanker.

Asked if he thought Robshaw would retain the captaincy, Bracken told BBC Radio Five Live: "I've got to say I doubt it. I'm sure Eddie Jones will be looking for someone else to go into that role and perhaps start afresh.

"I also think the captaincy is something that [Robshaw] can do without at the moment."

Bracken does not think losing the captaincy will signal the end of the 29-year-old Harlequins forward's international career.

"I think he is certainly still going to be involved with England. He's a great player but I think he's playing out of position. He's probably likely to be a very good No.6 for England going forwards."

Bracken insists Jones is used to getting his own way and predicts there may be some fireworks if he opts to tackle head on the current policy of not selecting overseas-based players in order to keep English talent in the Aviva Premiership and the thorny issues of England players being contracted to their clubs instead of to the union.

He added: "Let's see if he has got the stomach for the fight.

"He's going to be fighting with the RFU and he's going to be fighting with the clubs to get his way. So it will be an interesting spectacle."

© PA Sport

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