Andy ROBINSON

Bath stalwart Andy Robinson first arrived on the international scene in 1988 when he was called up to play against Australia in the second test down under. After running the Aussies close in the first test, England were outplayed and lost by a record margin of 28-8. On the return leg of the trip, Andy also played against Fiji in Suva where England struggled to a 25-12 victory. Robinson was soon given the opportunity for revenge against Australia when he was selected for the Twickenham test in the autumn. Andy enjoyed a fine game and England were the unexpected winners by 28-19, their first triumph over Australia in five attempts since 1982. He also played against the Wallabies in the black and white of the Barbarians, and made his own contribution to a feast of attacking rugby by going over for a try himself. Robinson played in all four Five Nations matches in 1989, though it proved to be yet another disappointing campaign and England eventually finished joint second after losing to Wales. However, Andy did have the satisfaction of scoring a try against France in England's 11-0 victory at Twickenham. He was subsequently selected for the British Lions tour to Australia along with his Bath teammates Jeremy Guscott and Gareth Chilcott, but did not play in the tests. Upon his return, Andy fell out of favour with the England selectors and was not needed again until 1995 when Jack Rowell picked him against South Africa at Twickenham. Unfortunately, Robinson's international comeback proved to be extremely brief, and he never played for England again after that match. In retirement, Andy turned his hand to coaching and after a difficult spell with Bath he became assistant coach on the 2001 Lions tour, before teaming up with Clive Woodward in the England set up. (Jon Collins).