Captain, My Captain

It seems an ever more important role on the rugby pitch. That of Captain. In the past, and as recently as the 1980s, the Captain had two functions: firstly to rouse the troops with a blood and guts speech before the game and at strategic intervals during it (that in the days when even international rugby saw the half-time break spent on the pitch) and secondly to let the referee know the intention at some decision points during the game (scrum or line again? "Posts sir!")

Now though, the role is ever more important and time consuming. The list of roles, not exclusive, but still pretty long is: on-field decisions, motivational, leading from the front, controlling discipline, Captain's run in training, press conference after press conference, promotional work for Sky, BBC, etc.

One of the odd decisions made by Marc Lievremont in his time in charge of France was to make Thierry Dusautoir captain. I recall, at the time, that most of my French friends were flabbergasted at such a promotion for a shy(ish) guy with no real background as a leader, yet Lievremont seems to have made a good appointment that Philippe Saint Andre will benefit from, and France enter the 6 Nations with an experienced captain in charge.

Wales stumbled upon their talisman when Sam Warburton took the captaincy by default before the World Cup. Recent Welsh captains have left me indifferent if I'm honest, but Warburton reminds me in many ways of a young Richie McCaw, and if Warren Gatland is able to fill in the numerous gaps around him, then more success could well come as a result.

Italy have the Captain they need in Sergio Parisse. A man, and this can never be said for any Italian previously, who would grace any International side. A true leader, never takes a backward step and always shows the example for others to follow. The biggest praise I can give him is that I wish he were English.

Ireland have been graced with two of best captains of the last decade in Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell. O'Driscoll could always be relied upon in attack and defence, and in terms of a motivator, there can rarely have been better in the last decade (Martin Johnson apart). O'Connell gets his chance this year due to BOD's injury, and the biggest compliment you can pay to him is that Ireland won't notice a difference.

Scotland have suffered for a while, with no real stars of any stature to stand up and be counted. Many have tried, and many have fallen by the wayside. The whole world is standing up and watching Richie Gray at the moment. Moving South to England to play with the Sale Sharks is a step he needed to take to ensure the quality of players around him week in and week out that he needs to be able to take the next step to being a great second row, and why not Captain. Were I Andy Robertson, I would be looking at him as a potential, if not definite, Captain for England 2015. 2012 may be slightly too early, but is a risk I would take.

Finally England, and you may have guessed that this is the real point of the blog. England are in a captaincy crisis at the moment. Three former captains are no more (either permanently or temporarily) with Wilkinson and Moody having gone into the retirement wilderness and Easter seemingly being overlooked). Of the current squad, or even potential squad, only 3 are currently captains of their club sides (Dylan Hartley, Luke Narraway and Chris Robshaw). 2 of those are highly inexperienced on the International stage and 1 has, in some eyes, a disciplinary problem of his own in terms of alleged off-field antics, yellow cards and a high penalty count against him. England are struggling to find a captain.

As I've said, it is my belief that a Captain should be, where at all possible, a great motivator, someone who leads by example and someone experienced at the level he plays at. It is rare indeed that someone steps up a level and can instantly captain at that level. Some people can do it of course, as they are just "that sort of person" but it is the hardest thing in the world to become a captain and have to lead people with considerably more experience than you. The "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" brigade are tough to lead if you don't possess the same t-shirt.

So what do England do? Risk a green captain? Go for experience in the hope that it irons out and disciplinary wrinkles? Go for an test match experienced player with no previous leadership experience? Three options, none of them ideal. My advice to Messrs Lancaster, Rowntree and Farrell (sound like legal advisors or estate agents don't they?) would be to forget the 2012 6 Nations and look to 2015. Who do you see leading us into that tournament as Captain? They may not be in the next squad, if not do't worry. Use a stop gap for the 2012 tournament and move on from there, but if there is someone who is a first choice now and who, in your eyes, is likely to remain a first choice for 2015, then give them the captaincy now and let them learn the job.

Chris Robshaw looks a good bet to be in England's back row in a month's time. He has captaincy experience. Will he be first choice in 2015? Dylan Hartley has captaincy experience, is first choice hooker and could well still be in 2015. Make him captain for 2012 and see if his disciplinary problems ease as they did when he took the role at Northampton? If it doesn't, there is still time to blood Robshaw or A.N. Other afterwards....

One final thing relates to the Premiership club sides. The RFU should not tell them what to do, far from it, but it would seem to me to be a good idea to politely suggest that an England qualified player should gain captaincy experience wherever possible. Toby Flood at Leicester, for example, would become a viable England captain if he had any leadership experience, as would Tom Croft or even Ben Youngs.

This last point may be slightly controversial, but it is a shame that, with the resources we have, we don't have 1 outstanding candidate to replace Lewis Moody at the helm and to assist Stuart Lancaster in the righting of the good ship RFU.

In honour of this, I have created a new Poll in the top right hand corner (or will have done if you read this and it isn't there yet). Who do you think should captain England in the 2012 Six Nations Championship. Please, please, please, please, please vote and let's get an idea of who you think it should be? Maybe Stuart Lancaster will read this and you can throw some light in his direction....