Robshaw not in world’s elite No 7s, claims Back

Robshaw will lead the tournament hosts throughout this autumn’s World Cup and resumes his role as skipper for Saturday’s warm-up match against France in Paris after being rested for the 
19-14 victory over the same foes last weekend.

Back is one of Robshaw’s most celebrated predecessors in England’s No 7 jersey, winning 71 caps in an 11-year Test career that peaked when lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003.

While the World Cup winner rates Robshaw, he insists there are areas of his game that leave him trailing his openside rivals from other nations.

“Chris has improved and is a very good player, but he’s probably not in the top five opensides in the world,” Back said. “If you were putting together a world XV, he wouldn’t be under consideration. As a seven I’d like him to develop his offloading game so that he’s not taking the ball into contact so often.

“Robshaw’s a good ball carrier, but he takes it into contact too much and that doesn’t help the continuity of the team. He’s improved over the ball, but if you’re talking about the world’s best players in that regard then he wouldn’t be in the conversation.But he has grown as a captain, becoming more assured and confident. His support lines have improved, as has his foot speed away from contact, rucks and the set piece.”

Back also has misgivings over Haskell, England’s blindside flanker at the Stade de France and a certainty to be one of the five back rows selected for the World Cup squad.

Haskell has set-up a health and fitness business complete with website, YouTube videos and a supplement range and recently appeared in Hello alongside girlfriend Chloe Madeley.

“Haskell has really come into his own this year, although I’d personally wish he’d concentrate on what he does on the field more than what he does off it,” Back said. “It’s just an impression I get and it may take away from his performance, even if it’s just a little bit.”