Welsh Wasp Nicky Robinson Looks Forward to A Big Rugby Weekend

“I remember when I was younger someone bought me a poster for Christmas,” smiles London Wasps fly-half Nicky Robinson, leaning back on his chair in the clubhouse of the Twyford Avenue Sports Ground. “It said: ‘We support Wales and every team that plays against England.’ That was the mentality that got drummed into you when you were growing up.”

Robinson may be slightly distanced from Warren Gatland’s set up – he won the last of his 13 caps in the summer of 2009 against the USA in Chicago – but the 30 year-old is well aware of the magnitude of Saturday’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham. With Wales chasing a Triple Crown, and Stuart Lancaster’s England also unbeaten after an arduous first two rounds, this weekend’s edition of a most patriotic fixture promises extra ferocity.

“If the players need anything to get them up for it, they only need to look at the passion from old encounters,” continues Robinson, who was an unused replacement in the corresponding match as a teenager a decade ago. “Everyone will have the hairs on the back of their necks standing up at the start, for sure. Of course, they need to keep their head and not let things boil over.”

Though detached from the national side in a playing sense, Robinson is clearly an ardent supporter of his compatriots who hasn’t given up hope of donning the red jersey once more. Turning to Wales’ much-lauded efforts during this autumn’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the former Cardiff Blues and Gloucester man can barely conceal his glee.

“What’s going on there is hugely positive,” he continues enthusiastically, a grin still spread across his face. “Whereas the other home nations would have been slightly disappointed with their performances [at the World Cup], Wales were something of a shining light. The players who had been around for about a year or two came through to show themselves as world-class.

“The back row – Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate and, obviously, Sam Warburton – was an example of that. The backs have been great too and, throughout the side, there are youngsters who now have the experience under their belt at the top level. Of course, it is a dream to get that opportunity again.

“When the team are going well like they are, you get inspired to get into the best shape so that, if the can comes, you are playing the best rugby you can be. When you are playing well and getting wins, you don’t get the sort of fatigue that might creep in when things aren’t going well.”

Halfway through his last sentence, Robinson realises the irony of his sentiments and his expression takes on a slightly sterner look. Fatigue might be a recurrent problem for his club colleagues. There is no hiding from the trouble they are currently in. Going down to a 15-12 defeat against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, Wasps were consigned to their eighth consecutive Aviva Premiership defeat. For a club with the prestigious honour of being crowned Heineken Cup champions as recently as 2007, it is an embarrassing situation to be in.

Admirably, when I ask what will stop the slide towards relegation, Robinson retains his composure. Rocket science is certainly not required.

“We just need a win,” he says, simply. “That’s crucial. Our performances over the last couple of weeks have been better and this weekend against Exeter, we really should have won. It is the little errors that are costing us.

“That has to start on Friday against Sale. Edgeley Park is a tough place to go and Sale are a good side but we have to be confident because, as I’ve said, we are doing OK and will be fine if we stay positive and keep playing that sort of rugby. As soon as negativity creeps in, our job gets even harder.”

Robinson is convinced that the ongoing speculation regarding the club’s ownership is irrelevant, and that “anything outside the training environment will take care of itself.” Having spent his formative years in the Welsh capital under the tutelage of Dai Young, now head coach at Wasps, the stand-off is also sure that the right man is at the helm.

“Dai has enough experience to deal with this. For a lot of guys at this club, though, it is the first time they have been in a place like this. We need to forget the bigger picture and work on the little things that will get us a win. Dai has been there before and isn’t panicking, or at least showing that he is.

“We know that we will have to dig deep and be tighter than we have been all season.”

A Friday evening fixture means that Robinson is free to fulfil media commitments at Twickenham on Saturday for Welsh language channel S4C. He finishes in a familiarly excited tone, telling me how he is looking forward to mixing among his countrymen in Richmond once the 80 minutes are over.

It all sounds like a great plan, but is he prepared for training ground ribbing that will ensue should Wales belie their favourites tag?

“Maybe I’ll just stand next to Dai Young if the boys lose. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone’s brave enough to abuse the Welsh then.”

The rest of this season will be nothing less than a dogfight for Wasps. Fortunately for them, Robinson is palpably aware that he cannot hide behind his coach on the field.

Nicky Robinson was speaking on behalf of 188BET, proud sponsors of London Wasps. For a £25 free bet on the 6Nations, visit www.188bet.com.

© Nicky Robinson image courtesy of David Howlett - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhowlett/collections/72157603579023432/