Rugby:Chris Robshaw has been confirmed as England captain for the QBE autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Robshaw will be leading a squad beset by injuries, with Dylan Hartley in danger of missing the entire series after damaging his knee playing for Northampton at the weekend.
Hartley will definitely miss the opening game against Fiji on November 10th, as will his Northampton team-mate Courtney Lawes while Jonathan Joseph remains a significant doubt.
Hartley has not officially been ruled out of the series but he faces an uphill battle to be available and back to Test-match pace by the time New Zealand arrive at Twickenham on December 1st.
"Courtney Lawes has got an injury that will probably be one or two weeks and Dylan will be a couple of weeks after that," Lancaster said. "They won't be available for the Fiji game. They are reasonable injuries. Dylan could potentially be available towards the end of the series but a lot of things have to happen before then.
"We have got to get him some game-time for Northampton before we can pitch him into international rugby, particularly if you look at our last two games against South Africa and New Zealand."
Hartley's injury - added to those already suffered by Bath hooker Rob Webber and Harlequins' Joe Gray - leaves England choosing between the uncapped Tom Youngs and David Paice for the number two jersey.
Robshaw captained England to second place in the Six Nations championship and on the summer tour to South Africa, although he missed the drawn third Test with a broken hand.
Lancaster described Robshaw's appointment as a "no-brainer", although it was only made official last night once the squad arrived in camp at St George's Park.
"It was important to wait until after last weekend's Aviva Premiership matches to check on everyone's form and fitness and not interrupt the players' preparations," Lancaster said. "I have had the chance now to have a one-to-one catch-up with each player and we are really please to announce Chris as captain.
"Chris has been outstanding on and off the field and we are delighted that he will captain the team for what will be an immense challenge in the QBE internationals."
Robshaw did briefly fear for his participation this autumn after being accidentally kicked in the face by Joseph in Harlequins' Aviva Premiership win against London Irish.
"I was slightly worried," Robshaw admitted.
Joseph will not return to training until next week after suffering an ankle injury, although England are more confident over the fitness of prop Joe Marler, who has a slight hamstring strain.
Hartley and Lawes will continue treatment with Northampton while nine other squad members have been available for Premiership duty this weekend.
Anthony Allen, Mike Brown, Phil Dowson, Ben Morgan, James Haskell, Jordan Turner-Hall and Ben Youngs were all released by England tonight.
Worcester prop Matt Mullan and Harlequins lock George Robson, who were initially called up as injury cover for Joe Marler and Lawes, will train with England tomorrow before returning to their clubs.
Lancaster insisted those who are in Premiership action this weekend are still in consideration for the Fiji game on November 10.
"Some return for further treatment from their club and others to get some game time to put a marker down for selection for when we meet again on Sunday after the weekend's games," Lancaster said. "We will not finalise selection for the Fiji game until after training next Tuesday and so for those going back and playing this is a real opportunity to stake a claim with a really big performance."
