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Chris Robshaw still scarred by England World Cup woes

Chris Robshaw lapped up England's Grand Slam success but said he is still haunted by the World Cup failure under his captaincy.

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Chris Robshaw said winning the Grand Slam will not heal the "scars" of England's World Cup failure on home soil last year.

England head coach Eddie Jones was among Robshaw's critics when England became the first host nation to crash out at the pool stage under Stuart Lancaster.

Jones stripped Robshaw of the captaincy after replacing Lancaster, but the back-row played a key role in England's Six Nations success at number six.

Robshaw savoured England's first Grand Slam triumph in 13 years, which was sealed with a victory against France in Paris last weekend, but said that success will not banish his painful World Cup memories.

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"It will be a scar that I will wear for a long, long time," the Harlequins man said.

"Winning a Grand Slam did, of course, give me a lift, but it cannot eradicate what happened. The World Cup is the World Cup.

"You would rather not have those scars but it does mean you appreciate what happens. After coming so close in the Six Nations over the last four years, it makes it all worthwhile to get your hands on the trophy.

"Winning the slam is pretty sweet in its own right. It was a good night in Paris, with all the support staff in there too, joking around with beers. It was brilliant.

"As a player you always aim for the top of the mountain but you know that if you don’t make it, that you have to dust yourself down and go again. The boys did that."

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Jones said the "outstanding" Robshaw was "pivotal" to England's Six Nations triumph and the former skipper has expressed his gratitude for the backing he has been given by the former Japan coach.

He added: "One of Eddie's attributes is to give you confidence. He set his stall out early about what he wanted from me, not giving me six or seven things to work on but narrowing it down to a couple of important elements.

"I was extremely grateful that he gave me an opportunity and I hope I have repaid that faith."

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