O’Shea convinced switch will help Robshaw

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea believes England skipper Chris Robshaw will benefit from being replaced as club captain.

Joe Marler has been installed as Quins captain for the upcoming Premiership season after O’Shea decided that a change was needed,

“It has been something I had been considering for well over 12 months,” O’Shea explained.

“I could see being captain of England is not an easy job. There is a lot of responsibility, weight of expectation and a focus on you the whole time.

“As Chris is in such a strong position within England, I looked at how we could help him be at his best for Quins and be fresh as well for the whole year without me putting more and more strain on him.”

Harlequins begin their domestic campaign at home to Saracens on September 12.

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