Rugby World Cup: Remarkable Robinson is lauded by Ashton

Oct 11 2007 by Andrew Baldock, Liverpool Daily Post

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has led the tributes to “remarkable” Jason Robinson, after handing him his 50th cap in a World Cup semi-final.

Robinson, keeping with tradition for England players who reach the half-century milestone, is set to lead out the world champions against host nation France on Saturday night.

With the 33-year-old poised for retirement from England duty after the tournament, a sell-out 80,000 crowd at Stade de France will acclaim one of rugby’s most exhilarating talents.

Ashton said: “I started to watch him play from an early age.

“When I moved down from Lancashire to the south-west I still used to go back up and watch Wigan rugby league.

“I just remember Jason being part of a phenomenal rugby team – and I could not believe my luck in 1996 when I was head coach at Bath and Jason came down to play for us for four months. It was an incredibly exciting time for me.”

Robinson initially stepped down from England duty in September 2005 – but he returned earlier this year to pen one final chapter that could now conclude with securing a second World Cup winner’s medal.

Ashton added: “He is a remarkable rugby player, and I am delighted he came out of retirement.

“I had spoken to Jason in September last year – I think we bumped into each other at Sale – and I was keen to get him back. I was delighted when he said yes.”

England captain Phil Vickery also saluted Robinson’s impact on both codes of rugby, with Saturday’s clash his 539th game in league and union.

Vickery said: “Like most people, I used to watch Jason play for Wigan and Great Britain – I think I was about eight years old at the time!

“He is a fantastic talent, and the most abiding memory for me – it will live with me forever – was during the Lions tour of Australia in 2001 and the try he scored in the first Test in Brisbane.

“That try at The Gabba was a magical moment. He is one very special, talented old man.”

Full-back Robinson will line up in an unchanged England side following last weekend’s stirring quarter-final victory over Australia.

It is the first time for almost two years that England have kept the same team in two successive Tests.

Robinson said: “Playing for England is something I am very proud to have done, and to get the 50th cap is something special.

“This is a massive, massive game on Saturday, and why I came out of retirement.

“This year was really all about England, and a massive year at that with the World Cup. I wanted to make a big contribution.

It is a great way for me to finish. You want to make an impact every time you take to the field, and thankfully it has worked out well for me.

“Little did I know I would retire, then come back out of retirement and win a 50th cap. The Lord has taken me from one amazing thing to another.

“My wife is the one who has been making sacrifices throughout my rugby career. I would have to dedicate my 50th cap to my wife and children.”

Robinson’s fellow 2003 World Cup-winner Mike Catt is retained in midfield alongside Mathew Tait after answering a late SOS to replace an injured Andy Farrell against the Wallabies.

The pack that destroyed Australia’s forwards in Marseille is also retained en bloc, with England hoping for another mighty scrummaging performance from their front row of Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan and Vickery.

Lawrence Dallaglio again has to be content with a place on the bench, missing out behind Harlequins number eight Nick Easter – who packs down in the back row alongside Leicester pair Martin Corry and Lewis Moody.

England are bidding to reach a second successive World Cup final and remain on course to make history, given that no country has successfully defended the Webb Ellis Trophy.

But France have recovered brilliantly from losing their opening game of the tournament against Argentina last month – reeling off four successive wins, including taking the scalp of World Cup favourites New Zealand.

Ashton said: “It makes a difference being unchanged. The 22 players who were involved last Saturday more than merit another shot at it this week.

“We need to improve in all areas.

It is a step up this week from last week – I can’t imagine we will catch France off guard.

“France are an extremely difficult team to play against.

“You have got to be eternally vigilant against them. You cannot take your eye off them for one minute.”

Vickery added: “I think the challenge for us as a pack will be considerably higher than last weekend.

“They are very well-drilled, with a great scrum and driving line-out. They have an ability to punish you.

“France’s result against New Zealand last weekend will probably go down as the all-time result in any World Cup.

“France in France is a big enough test at any time, let alone in a World Cup when they are the host nation.”

England Team: Robinson (unattached); P Sackey (Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle), M Catt (London Irish), J Lewsey (Wasps); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Harlequins); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins). Replacements: G Chuter (Leicester), M Stevens (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps), P Richards (London Irish), T Flood (Newcastle), D Hipkiss (Leicester).