Carling starts the part-time role next week and has been given the brief of developing the skills of the leadership group, which is spearheaded by co-captains Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell.

But where does Carling rank among England's captains down the years in terms of win percentage and is he above Dylan Hartley? Find out below.

Note: They must have captained over 15 Tests to be eligible for this list.

He succeeded Roger Uttley as England captain in 1978. He went on to earn a total of 34 Test caps for England - captaining his country on 21 of those occasions and most famously leading them to the 1980 Five Nations Grand Slam - their first clean sweep since 1957. Also captained the Lions on their tour of South Africa in 1980.

Robshaw will forever be remembered for his poor decision against Wales in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and he was never a natural leader but the best England had at the time and did an admirable job for long periods.

A surprisingly good record for the prop, who captained England to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final after remarkable victories over Australia and France. A tough, no-nonsense type of character who would have been ideal in any backs-to-the-wall scenario.

Dejected looking Owen Farrell, Captain of England Rugby after the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK[/caption]

Handed the England captaincy aged only 22, becoming the youngest man ever to hold the position. In the early 1990s the side he led was one of the most successful in English rugby history. They achieved the rare feat of back-to-back Grand Slams in 1991 and 1992 and reached the 1991 World Cup final at Twickenham. Carling also led England to a third Grand Slam in 1995.

Despite copping a lot of stick as England skipper, Hartley has led England to two Six Nations titles, including one Grand Slam, as well as a historic 3-0 series win against Australia. Over that period, Hartley’s performances at international level have been inconsistent but his captaincy has been exemplary with him putting his dispclianry issues behind him

Dylan Hartley of England (Capt) arrives before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)[/caption]

A great leader of men on the pitch... not so good off it when handed the England coaching reins in 2008 and enduring a nightmare World Cup campaign three years later. Will forever be remembered for skippering the Red Rose to the 2003 World Cup triumph while leading the Lions on two separate tours is also a record.