A Fitting End - Jason Robinson
A fitting end to Jason Robinson’s outstanding international career will happen this Saturday as he steps out in a Barbarians shirt to play world champions South Africa, his final game will be a testimonial at Stockport in June.
The 22-man squad will be captained by Bristol hooker Mark Regan and coached by Eddie O’Sullivan.
“It feels like an off-season at the moment,” Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Give it another couple of months and I will realise that retirement has really kicked in.
“It is nice to wake up knowing I haven’t got that same pressure and I can spend some time with the family.
“I’m busier now than when I was playing. The hardest thing is going to be saying ‘no’ to lots of things. I just have to be wise and not over commit myself.”
“I was honoured to be invited to prepare the team for such an historic and high profile fixture,” said Ireland coach O’Sullivan, who is among the candidates to lead the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2009.
“The assembled squad has an exciting mix of home-grown and overseas talent.
“We hope to give the world champions a real game in the best traditions of Barbarian rugby on Saturday.”
Barbarians squad:
Backs: J Robinson (England), J Rokocoko (Blues & New Zealand), I Neivua (Warriors & Fiji), B Cohen (England), C Smith (Hurricanes & New Zealand), T Shanklin (Cardiff & Wales), M Nonu (Hurricanes & New Zealand), M Giteau (Western Force & Australia), P Grant (Stormers), J Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand).
Forwards: A Sheridan (Sale Sharks & England), F Pucciarello (Munster & Italy), S Ma’afu (Brumbies), M Regan (Bristol & England), S Brits (Stormers), B Cockbain (Wales), J Harrison (Ulster & Australia), Luke Charteris (Dragons & Wales), T Flavell (Blues & New Zealand), J Collins (Hurricanes & New Zealand), M Williams (Cardiff & Wales), R Elsom (Waratahs & Australia).
[...] also paid tribute to another departing great, Jason Robinson - who after a fantastic game received a standing ovation: “He was a great rugby league [...]