It's all very well being clever and lateral the whole time, but sometimes the right answer is just the blindingly obvious one. It's a shame, really, because going for the blindingly obvious deprives us of the chance to show off how inventive we can be.

And there have been some inventive suggestions for new England captain, all of them showcasing the boundless imaginations of the various proponents. Steve Borthwick has been touted for his cerebral approach to pushing and leaping in the second row, Mike Tindall for his northern grit and his connections with royalty. Both very clever as suggestions, but, come on, there's only one person whom Andy Robinson can seriously have gone with, isn't there?

You can imagine Robbo chewing his pen late at night. 'Mmmm... who to pick as captain? I have inherited a stuttering team, shorn of the legion of leaders that won the World Cup. Johnno's gone, so has Lol and Jason and Bracks. Woody dropped Backy, and so he went, too. Vicks has been out for the best part of half a year. Hilda's out for the foreseeable. Daws these days prefers the banter on A Question of Sport.

'No, what I really need is someone to come in and steady the ship and make those around him feel better just by being there. Someone who knows the ropes, plays an influential role on the field, is a proven world-beater, has a calm temperament, the respect of his peers, the adoration of the nation, a winning smile and a patient, easy manner with the scum in the press. And, if he could be the most famous player on the planet and be able to kick off both feet, that would be even better.'

It can't have been hard for Robbo to make his decision. Of course, there are serious question marks about the timing of Jonny Wilkinson's appointment. It is far from ideal - he's still coming back from injury, the pressure on him will be enormous as one of the few Sydney veterans still standing, and during the World Cup this paper's rugby correspondent warned him against becoming a basket case with good reason.

But he's won the World Cup now, so that's the biggest worry off his back. And personally I'd take a bit more pressure off him still, by sticking him in the centre and giving Charlie Hodgson his head at fly-half. But, in all seriousness, he has to be captain. And, when it boils down to it, if not Jonny, then who?

You've read the piece, now have your say. Email your comments, be as frank as you like, we can take it, to sport.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk, or mail the Observer direct at sport@observer.co.uk