Marler replaces Robshaw as Quins skipper

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Chris Robshaw has been replaced as Harlequins captain after four years in the role.

Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea said he ended the England skipper’s dual role for club and country to keep the flanker “mentally fresh”.

England prop Joe Marler will take over as Quins captain for the 2014-15 season.

Although only 24, Marler is a veteran of more than 100 appearances for the club having made his senior debut as a teenager in November 2009.

He captained the England under-18s and is now a regular fixture in the senior side, with 19 Test caps to his name.

Marler said: “I’m really honoured to be asked to lead a special group like this and a great club, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“I want to pay tribute to how well Chris has done over the last four years, leading us through the most successful period we have had as a club.

“It will be good to be able to take the pressure off him as he heads into a huge year with England.”

O’Shea added: “I am delighted that Joe has agreed to take over the captaincy from Chris.

“He is a massively influential player and person within the group and will bring his own personality and style to the role, with the full backing of the entire squad and management.

“With regards to Chris, I have been speaking to him about the dual role of captaining both England and Harlequins for some time.

“He has a massive year ahead of him and I feel that we should relieve him of some of the pressure, which will allow him to focus on being at his best for both club and country.

“We are extremely grateful to Chris for the four seasons that he captained the club, of which three were spent captaining both Harlequins and England.

“We want him to be at his best for Harlequins, win trophies here and also lift the World Cup next year. To do so we believe he needs to be fresh both mentally and physically, hence why we have made this decision now.”

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