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Rugby League

Robinson to take on grass-roots rugby league coaching role

04/03/2008

Former Great Britain international Jason Robinson has announced he will return to his rugby league roots as a coach.

Following his retirement from all forms of rugby, the 34-year-old former England rugby union star took his first steps back into rugby on Tuesday when he was appointed as a dual-code ambassador for Gillette.

"I am going to be able to use the experience I have gained and the profile I've got to help out the younger guys coming through," he said.

The rugby union World Cup winner will coach under-eights to adults and hopes his rise to international success from a difficult family background will help inspire under-privileged youngsters.

"I can give them hope as well. I was brought up in a council estate in Leeds and certainly didn't have a privileged background," said the former Wigan winger.

"If you have a dream and a desire, there is no reason why you can't go on to do something at a high level.

"I had to get by with the bare minimum but one of the great things about this programme is that it's going to help the youngsters in a practical sense."

Robinson, who hung up his boots last December in order to spend more time with his family, insists that coaching youngsters will not lead to a more senior role in either code of rugby.

"My knowledge of rugby union is not that great, to be honest," he admitted.

"Coaching is not something I want to do at professional level.

"I see the coaches pulling their hair out on a weekly basis and the stress they go through and it certainly doesn't appeal to me," he explained.