When Chris Robshaw ran out at Twickenham Stadium in Harlequins kit on Saturday for the start of the Aviva Premiership 2014/15 season no-one could have blamed him had he momentarily dared to dream that he would be back there almost a year from now leading England out in the Rugby World Cup 2015 final. 

Of course, as the level-headed Robshaw knows only too well, there is a lot of rugby to be played before then – England take on the top three IRB ranked teams in the world in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia as well as Samoa on four consecutive Saturdays in November, and that’s not forgetting the RBS Six Nations 2015. 

But, with RWC 2015 match tickets going into a public ballot on 12 September, there is no getting away from the fact that the next edition of the Rugby World Cup is getting ever closer and remains the end goal for everyone involved in the sport. 

Having been overlooked by Martin Johnson in 2011, Robshaw is set be one of the leading figures at what he hopes will be an inspirational event for the whole country. 

“We have spoken about various other sporting events and the buzz which can be created,” Robshaw tells Total Rugby.

“You remember the Olympics a couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to go to a couple of events and you feel that excitement just walking around the village and all that type of stuff. 

“Hopefully we can create something like that and inspire the country and inspire the next generation at grass roots level to go out there and play, and play with a smile on their face and really enjoy it.” 

If Robshaw were to become the first Englishman to lead his side to victory on home soil the likelihood is they would have to get past New Zealand first.

While this summer’s 3-0 series defeat Down Under was less than ideal preparation, Robshaw has tasted victory over the reigning world champions once before, a 38-21 win at Twickenham in December 2012. 

“The whole stadium was rocking that day …it was incredible, probably the best atmosphere I have ever played in,” the flanker recalls.

“I think every player out there that day played to the best of their ability and that’s exactly what you need when you play a team like New Zealand; everyone doing their individual job for the best of the team.” 

England have failed to reach those heights in four subsequent meetings against the All Blacks, although Stuart Lancaster’s men came mighty close to causing an upset in this summer’s first two Tests – both lost by a single score margin. 

While disappointed by the outcome, Robshaw, who made his England debut in 2009, believes the team will be all the better for the experience.

“We went down there to try and win a Test series, but unfortunately it is not as easy to do as it is to say. It’s a tough environment to go to and I think only two English teams have ever won down there.

“But I think we have left a mark and to go there and come so close, I think there were a huge amount of positives.”

Also on this week's Total Rugby, we are joined by Wales international Matthew Rees and his skipper Sam Warburton to talk about the hooker's remarkable recovery from testicular cancer, Zimbabwe's Class of '87 look back on the Sables' participation at the inaugural Rugby World Cup, and US Eagles player Adam Siddall and US tennis player Luke Jensen meet up at Flushing Meadow to exchange some banter - and a few serves and volleys - about how their respective sports compare - all available to watch here >>