Chris Robshaw is more determined than ever to reclaim his England jersey ahead of the Rugby World Cup after admitting he has unfinished business at international level.

The Harlequins flanker returned to action for his club last month after suffering a knee injury in October, which resulted in him missing all of the autumn Tests.

He was included in England’s 31-man training squad ahead of their Six Nations clash with Italy, but has not been able to make the cut for the matchday team during the Championship.

But with the pain of the 2015 World Cup exit - when the host nation failed to get out of their pool - still fresh in his mind, the 32-year-old is driven by a chance at redemption in Japan.

And Eddie Jones is keeping his options open, after a mixed Six Nations that saw England bank wins over Ireland, France and Italy, a draw with Scotland and defeat to Grand Slam winning Wales.

“Getting back into the England team is my goal moving forward,” said Robshaw, who was speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session at Warlingham RFC, after their U10s side won a nationwide competition launched by Gallagher.

“With the World Cup coming up I want to have another shot at that after the last one didn’t finish how I would have liked and for me, it’s a good opportunity.

“I was fortunate enough to get to train with the squad last week [before the Italy game] and it was brilliant as that’s where you want to be, it inspires you.

“The level of training, the intensity, the accuracy and the skill, you lift weights a little bit harder, the physio is more intense, as a player it just inspires you.

“It gives you that buzz to spur you on and get back there. Eddie has always been very honest with me, he’s always been very open and our conversations will stay between us.”

Defeats to Australia and Wales at the World Cup in 2015 meant England’s campaign was over after just three matches, with Robshaw captain of the Red Rose side at the time.

But he faces a fight on his hands to earn his place in the back-row as Tom Curry, Mark Wilson and Brad Shields have all impressed in his absence during this year’s Six Nations.

And while Robshaw is aware it is going to be tough to earn his place on the plane to Japan, he insists the competition for places will only spur him on to reach to ultimate goal.

“Tom Curry and Mark Wilson have done extremely well and it’s a credit to them, they’ve gone out there and performed," he added.

“These are guys who have performed well for some time now. Tom in particular is a young guy, only 20, but he’s a tough - a bit strange - but a tough kid, he’s a good character to have around.

“Mark has been waiting to play for a while and he’s been in and around it, but credit to him he’s taken this opportunity and done really well.

“Brad has also done very well.  It’s an extremely competitive area, but I think that’s what you want as a squad to go into the World Cup and be successful, you need players who can perform and be competitive.”

  • Robshaw was speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session at Warlingham RFC after their U10s side won a nationwide competition launched by Gallagher, a passionate community insurance broker and proud title partner of Premiership Rugby. Warlingham won by describing how their team embodies the spirit of rugby, both on and off the pitch, and helps grow the game locally.