England must all play like Chris Robshaw if they want to win World Cup, says Lawrence Dallaglio

Captain fantastic: Robshaw has proved his doubters wrong with his consistent displays, according to Dallaglio
David Rogers/Getty Images
Chris Jones8 September 2015

Lawrence Dallaglio believes the entire England team will have match captain Chris Robhshaw’s performance level if they want to win the World Cup.

Dallaglio, one of England’s 2003 Cup-winning heroes, has little time for Robshaw’s detractors and believes the Harlequins flanker has been outstanding in the lead-up to this year’s tournament, which sees the hosts take on Fiji at Twickenham in the opening game in 10 days’ time.

Dallaglio said: “Chris Robshaw continues to impress me. His overall standard of play is very high — and we saw that again in the win over Ireland. The rest of the team now needs to be inspired to play at his level. If we can get this, then England will do very well at the tournament.

“I have huge admiration for what Chris does on the pitch for England, who know exactly what will be coming at them in the breakdown against Wales and Australia in the pool matches, where they will want to make it as much of a mess as possible. Chris knows that and I am sure we have plans to counter this tactic.”

Dallaglio played every minute of England’s historic 2003 campaign but fears this year’s tournament will be too demanding for his mammoth effort to be matched.

Robshaw is a certain selection and while Dallaglio is adamant the flanker sets the standard for the rest of the team, he is hoping head coach Stuart Lancaster will be able to rest his leader for the final pool match, against Uruguay in Manchester on October 10.

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If that is to happen, England must clinch top spot in Pool A as second place would set up a possible quarter-final against South Africa, followed by a semi-final against holders New Zealand. Win Pool A and England expect to take on Scotland in the last eight, followed by Ireland or France.

No matter which route England take, they will have rely on all 31 squad players, as Dallaglio explained: “This will be the toughest of all the World Cups in terms of testing the strength in depth of all the squads. Anyone who thinks that just 15 players will be used by any country is wrong.

“Four very demanding pool matches have been negotiated just to get into the knockout stages and I can see all 31 members of the squad having to be used because how teams use their resources will be crucial. I am very proud of the statistic that shows I played in every minute of England’s 2003 campaign, although it wasn’t supposed to be like that.

“I was ring-rusty coming into the tournament having had a bit of a hamstring problem.

“I probably didn’t hit my straps until the semi-final and while Chris may play every minute this time, I am sure the coach would rest a few players if we get to the final game with Uruguay and can make changes.

“England will probably have to win their pool if they want to reach the final because facing South Africa and New Zealand just to reach the final is a tough ask for any team. World Cup history would suggest that no team has lifted the trophy having lost a pool match, because winning rugby gives you vital momentum. I am certain that whoever emerges from Pool A will have a very strong chance of making the final.”

England’s 21-13 win over Ireland on Saturday brought a smile to Dallaglio’s face, yet he remains concerned about the variable level of the host nation’s performance.

Dallaglio, who yesterday took the Webb Ellis Trophy to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on its tour of the country, explained: “The opening 25 minutes on Saturday was some of the best rugby I have seen England play for a little while. The win has given everyone a bit of belief and momentum going into the tournament.

“I took a lot of positives out of it, even though there remain areas in need of improvement and England probably left 10-15 points out on the pitch.

“England at their best shows they are capable of taking on and beating any opponent in the world. What we haven’t witnessed enough is their ability to reach that level consistently — game after game.

“To win the World Cup we need to see more of that early play and the coaches will be well aware of that.”

Lawrence Dallaglio is supporting the Rugby World Cup Trophy tour which is currently in London. For more information go to rugbyworldcup.com/trophy-tour

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