Robinson stuns England
September 25, 2005 - 11:10am
Story by: SPORTAL
England and British and Irish Lions winger-fullback Jason Robinson has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The decision of the 31-year-old will be a shock to English rugby, and was announced in The Mail on Sunday.
A member of the World Cup-winning England team, and a high-profile convert to rugby from league, Robinson had a disastrous tour of New Zealand with the Lions, after arriving late.
He said family priorities were behind his thinking.
Robinson was allowed to join the New Zealand tour late in order to be with his wife who was expecting their fifth child.
He told the newspaper it was a difficult decision.
The time has arrived to put my family and my wife before the England team."
"Physically, I know I still have a lot to offer England so, in many ways this was a hard decision for me to make."
He said he didn't want to let coach Andy Robinson, or the England players down, but the pull of his family had proved greater.
"I've got five children and a beautiful wife and it's time for them to be placed first," he said.
One beneficiary of Robinson's decision could be New Zealander Mark van Gisbergen who has been in outstanding form in British rugby for the Wasps club side.
Holding a Dutch passport, van Gisbergen has qualified through residency for consideration for the England team.
Robinson's absence will hit Robinson's preparations hard, just days before he is due to announce his first squad of the year.
