Nick Easter is many pundits tip for the England captaincy in the upcoming Six Nations tournament and he has made it clear that he wants the job. Having been third choice captain during the World Cup, behind Moody and Tindall, Easter has set his sights on leading this new look England outfit in their first venture.

He realises the emphasis will be on youth, but hopes Stuart Lancaster will appreciate the need for experienced heads amongst the new blood if the transformation is to be successful. Easter describes himself as being “fitter and faster than I’ve ever been” and clearly feels he can still offer a lot as a player as well as as an experienced leader.

Easter has previously backed his club captain, Chris Robshawe to take the captaincy under the permanent manager, and his recent comments seem to fit with that. He believed that if he were to be appointed captain, as he would dearly love to be, it would be in a solely as an interim appointment.

It seems almost nailed on that Easter will wear the number 8 jersey against Scotland on February 4th and if he is selected, there is no reason why Lancaster won’t select him as captain for his own interim period in charge. The Rugby Union Betting markets favour Easter as captain, with odds as low as 1/8 in some exchanges.

The new look England team begins its transformation in the Betfair Six Nations 2012, but with Lancaster acting himself as an interim post there is nothing to suggest Easter will not have his wish of the interim captaincy before making way to the likes of Robshawe in the long term.

This would provide the inexperienced players such as the Quins skipper to gain international experience and for the coaches to see how they cope in an England jersey before deciding which one will captain the side. But while the likes of Easter are around, he must be a real candidate to lead his country.