Chris Robshaw: Improving all the time

England captain Chris Robshaw has "reinvented himself" and forced his way back into Lions contention, according to head coach Warren Gatland.

Just two months ago, Gatland said he would only consider "genuine" openside flankers for the tour of Australia and suggested Robshaw, for all his leadership qualities, did not fit that mould.

But three days after Gatland made those comments, Robshaw delivered an inspirational performance as England beat world champions New Zealand and his form has not dropped.

On Sunday at the Aviva Stadium, Gatland will watch intently as Robshaw goes head to head with Ireland's Sean O'Brien, another player who many feel is more suited to the blindside.

"Robshaw has done a good job for England and the same could be said for O'Brien with Ireland. Players have the ability to reinvent themselves," Gatland said.

"Sometimes it comes down to how players are refereed in different competitions.

"In the Premiership it is a lot more open, with less competition on the ball, so you watch someone like Chris at Harlequins and he doesn't compete hard for the ball because he is not allowed to do so by the referee.

"But in international rugby referees allow that competition for the ball. England have worked hard on that area and they're competing more at the breakdown.

"I think Chris has reinvented himself, he's done really well and O'Brien has done the same so I am really looking forward to that match-up on Sunday, it's going to be fascinating."

Gatland will also be watching Brian O'Driscoll closely, the man he first capped for Ireland in 1999 who is determined to be part of a fourth Lions tour.

"The thing with Brian - everyone knows what a quality, world-class player he is - it is him holding his body together for that period," Gatland said.

"We are going on tour for six weeks that are pretty intensive. Is his body able to handle that day in day out?

"One of the things I pride myself on is being able to manage players, looking after the experienced players who are important to your squad.

"When he was 20 years old, he had that raw talent, he was incredibly quick and skilful and he was a very much 'get out there and play' kid and there was no pressure on him.

"In 2009 (on the Lions tour of South Africa) I was very, very impressed by his knowledge of the game, his understanding and experience.

"It was good for me to be involved as someone who had picked him for his first cap and then miss all the years in between and then see him as a 29-year-old. I really was impressed with that development."

O'Driscoll is favourite to be captain too, following his high-class performance against Wales last weekend.

"When you are selecting the captain of the Lions, ideally you say 'at this moment I think you are good enough to get in my Test side'," Gatland said.

"When you go on tour, there are going to be no guarantees.

"If someone else is playing better than you, you might be tour captain but someone else can be Test captain. I think that is a responsible attitude.

"The captaincy is all about form. In the past I think you have picked a captain first and then pick a team around him. We are going to pick the best players on the tour and then make a decision about the captain."

Gatland, who was encouraged by the first round of RBS 6 Nations fixtures, expects England to win a tight contest at the Aviva Stadium.

The fly-half showdown will be compelling too, with Ireland's Jonathan Sexton facing off against England's Owen Farrell, whose ability and temperament has impressed Gatland.

"He has good hands and good vision and at the moment he is doing well," Gatland said.

"Because we have such a short preparation we have to have players who have a little bit of a strut about them, players who are confident and used to winning.

"It is about wanting good people. Stuart Lancaster has done a great job in grounding the England team. There don't appear to be any prima donnas.

"I really admire the job he has done.

"They will turn up under the radar in Dublin with so much pressure and expectation on Ireland. England may win the game but it will be a fantastic game."