Chris Robshaw insists Harlequins fully deserved their battling 26-15 Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish as he returned to Twickenham for the first time since England’s historic win over New Zealand.
The reigning champions triumphed in wet and windy conditions in front of 82,000 at the national stadium, with Robshaw, who is expected to captain England in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations, once again leading by example.
In a designated Quins home game, marketed as Big Game 5, Robshaw’s England team-mate Danny Care scored a try and that proved decisive despite Ian Humphreys kicking five penalties for the struggling Exiles.
And Robshaw felt the victory proved the league leaders are capable of performing in all conditions.
“We stuck in there and we got a bit of luck. Credit to the guys, they delivered,” said Robshaw.
“We were a little bit frustrated at half time as we always feel we have left a couple of tries out there or a couple of points.
“But it’s always hard to break a team down in the first 20 minutes, it is going to take 60-70 minutes.
“We always back ourselves whatever the conditions. We have a great coaching team that allow us and back us to go out and play the game.
“It is a bit harder to play the brand of rugby Harlequins want to play but that is what good sides do when it is wet and miserable, they play the territory and they grind out wins.
“There have been some great times here [at Twickenham] and hopefully it will continue.
“We want to put ourselves in a great position come the end of the season when the dry weather comes, but it is about doing the hard work now in January.”
Freddie Burns outkicked George Ford – who replaced Toby Flood after the England man pulled out before the game – but Leicester Tigers still beat Gloucester at Welford Road.
Anthony Allen’s try was the difference in a 17-12 win for the hosts, with Burns – who made his England debut in that win over the All Blacks – kicking all of the Cherry and Whites’ points.
Another England fly-half was also in form this weekend, as Danny Cipriani returned to the starting XV for Sale Sharks and delivered 18 points as they won for only the second time this season.
The Sharks beat Worcester 33-27 at Salford City Stadium, with former England winger Mark Cueto among the try-scorers.
John Mitchell, who following the game announced that he is leaving as director of rugby, found the time to praise Cipriani’s display after recently criticising his defensive performances.
“He played well and defensively showed some improvement but I’d still like to see him get his shoulders on and I’m sure everyone would,” he said.
“He stiffened up defensively, which is what we’ve asked him to do and that is a sign of a player wanting to improve, but I don’t think it’s so much about him, ultimately it’s not about any individuals.
“As you could see, that was a very good team effort and clearly, with a guy of his class, we need him to be at that level every week – not just one in three.”
Elsewhere, London Wasps were 34-15 victors at London Welsh, while Exeter Chiefs drew 12-12 with Bath Rugby.
