Robinson looks forward to Hodgson tie up
February 12, 2003

England full-back Jason Robinson is looking forward to linking up with his Sale team-mate Charlie Hodgson - coach Clive Woodward's surprise choice at centre for the RBS 6 Nations opener against France at Twickenham.

Former rugby league star Robinson has no doubt 22-year-old Hodgson is well worth his selection on Saturday despite the fact he has never started a match in the centre in his life.

"He's been playing really well. He certainly deserves it, and I'm looking forward to being out there with him," said Robinson.

"He's a very talented player; he has good vision, good kicking skills and he's going to be an asset to us on Saturday.

"It might be a bit harder than what he's used to. But he knows the game, so I don't think he will have any problems adapting."

Hodgson will be looking to capitalise on the understanding he and Hodgson have built up at club level to create the opportunities for his team-mate to link up with the threequarters and provide England's extra cutting edge.

"I played last year when Charlie played against Romania," Robinson remembered.

"It is good because you have that bond and familiarity, so it will be good to be out there with him.

"I know how he plays and how he thinks - so I hope that will be a benefit to us."

Last season Robinson scored one of England's two tries in the 20-15 defeat by France in Paris which deprived them of the Grand Slam and Six Nations title.

"It was great to score the try. But I would have swapped that for the win, that's for sure," said Robinson, who is convinced England will bounce back a better team for the experience.

"They were the better side, so we had to accept defeat that day. But we are looking forward to this game.

"It's not the games you win by 70 that you learn from; it's the games you lose. We had to address a few areas and we've done that now - and we hope we can come out and play a really good game.

"It's going to be tough; all the games are going to be tough, because everybody wants a big year," he added, before warning anyone who thinks Saturday's outcome will decide this year's championship is making a big mistake.

"Everybody says it's going to be us and France - but I think that's a load of nonsense. They are all tough. You never go out and play an international game that's easy.

"The first time you take your focus off that or get complacent, that's when you lose your game. We'll be approaching every game just like a normal Test week.

"Everybody wants to beat England, so we have to make sure we are on our guard."

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