JASON ROBINSON (MBE) - A TRIBUTE TO BILLY WHIZ

Position(s): Full Back / Wing Height: 1.73m (5ft8 ins) Weight: 84kg (13st 4lbs) Date of Birth: 30/07/74 Place of Birth: Leeds Debut for Sharks: Coventry 2000 Previous clubs: Wigan Warriors, Bath Representative honours: Rugby League GB, GB Academy, England, Rest of the World; Rugby Union Lions, England, England A Nicknames: Billy Whizz, Robbo, Stumpy

Jason ‘Billy Whiz’ Robinson has retired from Test rugby to spend more time with his family. He leaves however with World Cup glory, a Six Nations Grand Slam, and England captaincy amongst his highlights and achievements. Hot on the studs of former England and Sale team mate, Trevor Woodman’s retirement, Robinson becomes the 10th member of England’s World Cup winning squad to call it a day on the International scene.

Robinson, now 31 and with 39 England caps has been involved in international sport since 1993, when he made his Great Britain rugby league debut, and believes that now is the right time to stand down after a year in which his star, once so bright, has started to wane, most notably during the New Zealand tour, which he joined late after Amanda, his wife, suffered problems during pregnancy.

It’s not easily disputed that Robinson’s form is but a pale shadow of what he used to be twelve months ago and many were predicting his non-inclusion in Andy Robinson’s recently announced Autumn International squad. Whether or not he was to be part of the squad welcoming Australia, New Zealand and Samoa or not, England fans will never again witness his blistering pace, and mesmerising ability to baffle the opposition. Only Robinson’s club, Sale Sharks supporters will have that honour.

Born in Leeds on 30 July, 1974, Robinson played his last match of Rugby League for Great Britain in 1999, departing as one of the all-time try-scoring greats of the game. Robinson succeeded where many failed, making the transition from League to Union successfully and becoming an instant success with his electric ability to counter-attack.

He won his first England cap as a substitute against Italy in February 2001, having played in the A match against Wales at Wrexham a fortnight earlier. He was immediately chosen for the 2001 Lions tour to Australia and was one of the outstanding players in the side that won the first Test in Brisbane, by 29-13. He scored a superb try, bursting past Chris Latham down the left wing. He scored another in the final Test. His speed off the mark and explosive side step make him one of the most popular, exciting and dangerous broken field runners in the world game, whether starting at full back or wing. Whenever the ball came his way there was a frisson of excitement in the grounds of the world, with expectation amongst England supporters, as well as apprehension amongst Robinson's opponents.

Poor recent form or not, England Rugby seems just that bit emptier without a man heralded as one of the all time greats. He was one of those rare players who dragged supporters of his team, and rugby fans in general, to the edge of their seats. Predictability is usually boring in any sport, and yet the only predictable thing about one of Robinson’s runs, was that you never quite knew where they would end up. Unofficial England Rugby wishes him well.

Jason Robinson Links:

Jason Robinson BBC Sports Academy
Sale Sharks Player Profile

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