Family matters for retired Robinson
Many years ago now, I once read the autobiography of Jason Robinson, entitled 'Finding My Feet'.
To this day, the opening chapter has stayed with me closely as it illustrated there is more to life than rugby, more to life than sport.
He spoke openly and honestly about a difficult childhood growing up in rough Yorkshire suburbs. He didn't have a stable family environment to grow up in or lean on in times of need.
Despite having a decent relationship with his mother, other family members were problematic. The divorce of his parents when he was young was tough for Robinson to take, his violent, abusive, alcoholic father walking out of the family home to never return.
As a youngster, the man who was to go on to become a sporting superstar struggled with day-to-day family life.
There was no childhood for Robinson, his early life nothing more than a misery. He experienced tough times in a disadvantaged, single parent family.
He received torment from his older step brothers but for all the carnage and chaos surrounding Robinson, his comeback story has been quite commendable.
In the sport of rugby league, Robinson became a superstar for both Wigan Warriors and Great Britain.
But having achieved all he could, he signed for Sale Sharks in 2000 in a big-money move with a single hope of becoming an England international. His attentions had turned to a new challenge in a different sport. It was a battle, which he won. And convincingly.
Looking back on the career of a player now retired, it was quite a feat. He played a starring role in the 2001 Lions test series against Australia and won the 2003 Rugby World Cup with England two years later helping gain revenge on the Wallabies in Sydney.
In 2005 he participated in another Lions test series, this time against New Zealand and in 2007, he was once more instrumental helping England overcome all the odds to reach the World Cup final against South Africa.
Domestically, he led Sale Sharks to Guinness Premiership glory in 2006 and along the way, the man nicknamed 'Billy Whizz' and 'Twinkletoes' was simply sublime in annual Six Nations Championships.
Like Robinson, many back-three players have made the switch to union since the turn of the century. The likes of Lee Smith, Chris Ashton, Loque Turquri, Wendell Sailor and Lesley Vainakolo have all come to union from our sister code and whilst some have achieved relative success, none can claim to having created the legacy Robinson has left.
He provided rugby lovers with memories of sheer brilliance during his illustrious career. It was Robinson's acceleration and speed of mind which set him apart from the rest.
His searing pace and counter-attacking ability made him a constant threat with ball in hand. His kicking game was never unveiled too often as he always adopted a heads-up philosophy. His low centre of gravity allowed him to dodge oncoming tackles and beat much bulkier players with relative ease.
He had the ability to change the course of a game in an instant with a piece of trickery which made him stand out from the rest as a special talent.
He was an electric runner and devastating attacker, a potent weapon for whoever he played for. He always relished the big stage, exciting crowds with his attacking instincts. He had the X-Factor. Unique.
The comeback with lowly Flyde only served to remind the rugby public that Robinson's appetite for the game still remains as hungry as ever.
He found it hard to give up a game which he has given him so much, but he had given so much back meaning his retirement wasn't wholly unexpected.
Were he to release another autobiography, he will have found his feet both on and off the field, in both his personal and working life.
The remarkable tale concludes that after years of separation and isolation, Robinson contacted his real father a few years back, now starting to rebuild a fractured relationship.
For all that Jason Robinson achieved on the field of play, this family man, this rejuvenated Christian shall forever be grateful that he was able to find peace and happiness in his private matters.
Robinson can look forward to well-deserved quality family time with his wife Amanda and two children.
But in-between domestic duties, he will be able to look back on his playing career with a huge amount of pride. We salute you.
