Chris Robshaw takes the lead against the Aussies

Captain’s log: Quins’ Chris Robshaw
10 April 2012

Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw will captain a strong England side against the Australian Barbarians in tomorrow's tour opener in Perth.

Robshaw is joined by senior Test regulars Lee Mears and Ugo Monye, who were both on the Lions tour 12 months ago, plus Delon Armitage and Mathew Tait.

England look potent behind the scrum, where Charlie Hodgson's selection is a major pointer that Jonny Wilkinson will be involved in Saturday's Test squad.

Matt Banahan starts on the opposite wing to Monye with Olly Barkley at inside-centre. Mears, David Wilson and David Flatman, who is back in the international fold eight years after his last cap, form an all-Bath front row.

Robshaw is the only capped member of England's back five which may be unfamiliar but is packed with potential.

Team manager Martin Johnson said: "Chris has played well for Harlequins for the last three years. He got capped with us last year and it is nice to get him into a position of leadership.

"Chris is a mature guy and a smart player. You don't want to burden them when they come in because they are trying to establish themselves.

"Chris played a Test for us last summer against Argentina and fully deserves to be here in a pretty competitive area for us in the back row.

"Tom Croft and James Haskell are here and Joe Worsley is on the bench. Chris is an industrious, hard-working player. Leadership is a big part of any rugby side."

ENGLAND: D Armitage (Lon Irish); M Banahan (Bath), M Tait (Sale), O Barkley (Bath), U Monye (Quins); C Hodgson (Sale), R Wigglesworth (Sale); D Flatman (Bath), L Mears (Bath), D Wilson (Bath), D Attwood (Gloucs), G Parling (Leics), C Robshaw (Quins, capt), H Fourie (Leeds), D Ward-Smith (Wasps).

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