WARLINGHAM Rugby Club has expressed its pride after former minis player Chris Robshaw was named as the new England captain this week.

The Harlequins flanker, who started his career at Hamsey Green, has been named the England captain for the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday and the match against Italy a week later.

This is despite Robshaw, 25, only having one cap to his name, which he earned against Argentina back in 2009.

However, England's interim head coach, Stuart Lancaster, has been impressed by Robshaw's leadership skills both as captain of Harlequins, who are currently top of the Premiership, and as part of his Saxons squad.

Robshaw himself has described it as an honour to captain his country.

He said: "It is a huge honour and a proud day - hopefully one that will live in my memory for a long time to come."

Robshaw also thanked everyone who helped him along the way, adding that it was not just about him, with several guys in the squad having a massive role to play. On his Twitter account, Robshaw later added: "Thank you for all your kind comments today. I am so proud, honoured and privileged to captain this England side and can't wait for Saturday."

Coaches at his former club Warlingham have said it was great news for the club as well as for Robshaw.

The head coach of the U7s at Warlingham, Simon Phillips, said: "We are immensely proud of him. It is great for the whole club and it means a lot. It shows the children that you can do it."

Phillips added that Robshaw was not only a great player, but a great guy.

He said: "He puts a lot back into the community. He is down to earth and a really nice guy."

Robshaw, a former Guinness Premiership player of the season, spent several years with the Surrey club growing up and attended Cumnor House School in Croydon before moving to Millfield.

The director of sport at Cumnor House, Cameron Jones, also added his praise for Robshaw this week. He said: "We are all absolutely delighted for him. It is a wonderful thing to see for all of our boys at Cumnor House."

Meanwhile, Warlingham's U17s coach, Chris Dibble, said Robshaw was someone that the current crop of youngsters at Warlingham could look up to and aspire to be like.

He said: "To know that someone playing in and captaining the England side started where they did, is very exciting.

"It shows we are doing the right thing as a community rugby club because to produce an England captain is quite something."