Few players understand the trials and tribulations of both rugby codes like Jason Robinson.
Having essentially spent a decade in each as a professional, the dual-international has seen both league and union evolve and adapt, no more so than now. An ambassador for the current Rugby League World Cup in England, whilst also involved on the backroom staff with Jamaica, the 48-year-old has championed both the women's and wheelchair tournaments being afforded the same publicity as the men's version.
But in Union, the current scene being set amounts to less than rosey. Premiership club Wasps have followed Worcester Warriors into administration, triggering a crisis that has sent daggers through the heart of English club rugby. And despite the current economic climate, it's a situation the once lightning quick winger admits he didn't see coming.
“You only have to look at the news to see it’s not just rugby that’s in trouble with the current financial crisis," he said. “But it’s obviously sad. Two clubs have gone into administration and while clubs have challenges, I’m not sure anyone thought that would have happened."
“Part of that is due to the pandemic and loss of revenue and debt racked up there, but people have lost jobs, it will affect playing careers, and there are now challenges moving forward. Like every sport we are fighting for sponsors and to get crowds through the turnstiles and we’ve just got to be innovative now."
Robinson made over 150 appearances for Sale in his own career, and believes that whilst the standards remain strong, authorities must now act to keep it that way: "The game itself, there’s been some great rugby, and at international level the support is strong," he continued. "So we need to learn the lessons with what’s happened with Wasps and Worcester and we need to put things in place to bring financial security to everybody in the league.”
Robinson's affiliation with both codes is iconic, one of the few on these shores to represent his country in both a League and Union World Cup final, famously scoring as England won in the latter code in 2003. But rather than become a trend-setter, he concedes the lack of players willing to follow a similar path has surprised him.
“I would always encourage people to play both. Just as I would playing football. There’s a lot of skills that cross over," he said. “At higher level, I admit, I thought there would be more rugby league players over the years trying union - if not in the 15s then the 7s game. But then it goes down to personal preference and it’s easier to make the switch if you’re a back.”
Robinson notched 28 tries for his country and his switch, not to mention two for the British and Irish Lions. But the significance of his career delved beyond performances and points. In 2005, he became the first mixed-race player to captain England - but 17 years on the fight to increase diversity in both codes remains.
“There’s always work to do," he said, with meaning. “When you look at diversity it’s not just about colour. It’s about where you’re from, ability, and so on. It’s about giving everyone an opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“I know from my playing days, especially in the England team, for a long time I was the only black person. It didn’t matter to my teammates as we were just one team - but when you’re looking in at a team you often identify with people who look or sound like us, or who have come from where we were born.
“I know now, having finished and had people come up and say ‘you inspired me’, that there is still work to do outside of the heartland of rugby. We have to go into those areas and take down some barriers."
Of course, whether it's been side-stepping them metaphorically on a field, or breaking down them off it, few of are better equipped at removing barriers than Robinson.
Jason was speaking with Farah menswear, the off-field clothing partner of the Jamaican Rugby League World Cup team. Farah menswear has been entwined with Jamaican culture since the 1970s and has continued that tradition, as the official off-field clothing partner for the Jamaican Rugby League World Cup team.
