As his new club Fylde get ready to launch their pre-season campaign against the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (the Green Howards) on 12 August, new recruit Jason Robinson has no worries about the ‘trophy hunters’ looking to put one over on him.
He may have turned 36 at the end of July, but ‘Billy Whizz’ is as sharp as ever and ready for anything that anyone can throw at him in National Two North.
“I’ve been a marked man for 17 years and I’ve got used to taking the cheap shots. I’m sure some players will see it as a feather in their cap if they can get one over on me, but that doesn’t bother me,” said Robinson.
“I play the game as tough as I can and I’ve dished it out and taken it over the years. There are no mugs here and it is a great opportunity for them to play against me.”
New Fylde coach Brian Ashton will take his side to Brantigham Park on the opening day of the league season for a clash with Hull Ionians – a far cry from where Robinson played his last competitive match for England in the 2007 World Cup final at Stade de France.
In many ways it will be like going back to his roots for the double British & Irish Lions tourist, who launched his incredible rugby career at Hunslet rugby league club in 1991. From there he moved on to Wigan, where he played 286 games, before switching codes full time in 2000 with a move to Sale Sharks.
“Kingsley Jones wanted me to come out of retirement to play for Sale Sharks last season, but it wasn’t right for me at the time. But now I’m really looking forward to being able to work with a local club,” said Robinson.
