In Focus - Andy Robinson - Update

Andy Robinson OBE
By Kath 2/1/04
January 2 2004

Andy Robinson OBE over the last few years has instilled in the England Squad a mental toughness that used to be lacking! The England players now have that important mental belief factor,that they will win!

In Focus - Andy Robinson OBE- England Coach

Born 3/4/64 Taunton. Playing History: England (8 Caps1988-95) Lions, Bath, Coaching: England (May 2000), England U21's, Bath(1997-2000), Lions (2001).

(Richard) Andrew Robinson joined England's coaching staff as Clive Woodward's choice, and restored the successful coaching partnership they shared with England U21's and Bath.

Robinson has always taken his rugby very seriously whether as a player or as a coach. His meticulous planning and video work has raised the England players awareness to the highest levels of professionalism.

His first belief is that you must do the basics well and any innovation will come from that. He admits that his role is to attend to the basics, Robinson says "get the scrumaging, the lineouts, re-starts, sort out the defensive patterns , contact areas, make the tackles and teams will win games".

Easy to say all of this but to instill these ideals into England's Elite players has been Robinson's achievement over the last few years. In particular the intense mental toughness that the England Team players now seem to have.

This issue of mental toughness is important to Robinson he is quoted as saying, " To me it is about every player looking at themselves and being humble about the way they play the game, they must look for ward to each encounter. There is no room for phonies in International Rugby, nor excuses. Both of these must be got rid of before a player goes out on to the pitch".

As with all good motivators his man-management and communication skill are good. Robinson has that winning mentality and will never accept second best.  England are privileged to have such a talent and dedicated coach to inspire and lead them.

And his talent has been rewarded  following  England ’s Grand Slam victory in the RBS Six Nations earlier this year, success against the All Blacks in Wellington and the Wallabies in Melbourne in the summer and of course England ’s World Cup triumph in Australia last month.   

(Richard) Andrew Robinson was awarded an OBE, as the former Bath and England star's meticulous attention to detail was crucial to England's success.  

He was one of  four coaching staff who have been inducted into the Coaching Hall of Fame at the Sports Coach UK awards ceremony and will all be presented with the Mussabini Medal which celebrates the contribution of coaches of UK athletes who have achieved outstanding success on the world stage.   

A man with the precious quality of instilling a winning mentality, he was assistant coach for the Lions in Australia 2001 and it would be an odds on bet that he will be with the Lions again in 2005.

 

Source: Quotes taken from England Rugby Magazine 2001