THE threat of having the England captaincy stripped from his grasp might be hanging over him, but Chris Robshaw insists he is relishing the thought of a fresh start under new coach Eddie Jones.

Robshaw bore the brunt of the nation’s frustration after England’s dismal World Cup performance, but recent performances in a Harlequins jersey show he is not prepared to relinquish the reins just yet.

Unlike Stuart Lancaster and the rest of his coaching line-up, the 29-year-old remains right in the fold for the Red Rose after his Six Nations selection last week.

And the Quins stalwart – who has just been honoured with a testimonial year at the club for 10 years service – is ready to fight to be included in Jones’ new-look side for his first game at the helm against auld enemy Scotland next month.

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“Of course we’re not proud of how the World Cup went,” said Robshaw, who saw nine players from the World Cup – with a total of 297 England caps between them – culled by Jones.

“And especially when you look at the coaches unfortunately losing their jobs and then some players not coming back into the squad, it’s been tough.

“It is a group with a lot of new players. There are some new guys coming in as well as a new set of coaches, so it will be an exciting time for England and hopefully a cracking Six Nations.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just making sure I am part of the team at Murrayfield and making sure one of the starting XV shirts is mine.

“It’s about being part of a successful team. For me, if I was reinstated as captain, I would of course be hugely honoured and love that role.

“But if he does select someone else then I will respect his decision and fully support that person that comes in.”

England travel to a hostile Murrayfield on February 6 for their opening Six Nations clash with Scotland, and following their own World Cup heroics Vern Cotter’s side could be going in as genuine favourites for the first time in years.

The first of Robshaw’s 42 tests as England captain came at the same venue, and after a turbulent five months he cannot wait to wipe the slate clean again in Edinburgh.

He added: “It’s always a fierce rivalry in the Calcutta Cup, and of course with the way that Scotland have been playing recently they will be a very tough team to play.

“They used to be a bit of a niggly side, but now they are playing a much more expansive game which should make for an exciting clash.

“It’s always an exciting experience heading up to Murrayfield as there is so much history in the stadium, and in the rivalry between the two teams, so hopefully it will be a special day.

“As players we’ll prepare as well as possible, come up with the right tactics, and go out there and do our best to produce the goods.”

Allowing Robshaw to bring up his half century of England caps in 2016 would be a huge vote of confidence from Jones, having axed Lancaster stalwarts Brad Barritt, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood and Tom Youngs.

James Haskell may be the favourite to pull on the number seven jersey for a boggy battle at Murrayfield – with in-form Matt Kvesic and young upstart Jack Clifford also in contention for Jones at openside – but Robshaw has excelled at blindside since his return to club action, picking up another man-of-the-match award in victory over Cardiff Blues last time out.

“I’m back to enjoying my rugby,” Robshaw added. “There always seems to be a lot made of what number I’ve got on my back, but I’ll always go out there wherever I’m selected and try to do everything I can for my team.

“As an individual I want to be part of a successful team, and do my bit for it; whether that’s as captain, at number six or number seven, it’s irrelevant – it’s about being part of it.

“If everyone does their job as part of a team then hopefully we can be successful.”

For more information about the Chris Robshaw Testimonial year, go to http://testimonial.chrisrobshaw.com/ or call the event office on 0203 7706982