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Welcome to rugby union

Jenny Dixon
20/ 9/2006

ANDY Farrell's imminent appearance at Edgeley Park with Saracens on Friday has put Sharks' captain Jason Robinson in a reflective mood.

As the most successful league convert ever, there is no one better than Robinson to assess what his former Wigan teammate is experiencing as he gets to grips with union action.

"Welcome to rugby union!" laughed Robinson as he recalled his own debut for Sale Sharks in 2000.

"In my first game I had people stand all over me!" explained the former England captain.

"You learn quickly: 'I don't want to be there again', there are things you have to overcome."

After the pain of the first stampede had worn off crossing the codes did not prove too difficult for the man dubbed 'Billy Whizz'.

"I believed in myself," Robinson explained.

"I didn't think I would achieve as much as I have but I thought 'I can compete against these guys'.

"It is early days for Andy, he has not had a lot of match practice, he will find himself in positions where he is not sure what to do whereas in league it would have been second nature."

Robinson has never regretted his transition from the 13-man game six years ago and who can blame him - his union career has been as successful as his time in league, with World Cup glory and the Guinness Premiership title among his finest prizes.

"I've been spoilt, I'm blessed to have played both games," he explained.

"It was only when I came to play union that I came to fully appreciate the game - quite a lot of it I didn't know. Both games are brilliant."

Former Great Britain captain Farrell experienced a delayed introduction into the Saracens side, after injury kept him out for 18 months.

Last week he made his Premiership debut, as replacement flanker, and he is expected to play a part in Saracens clash with Sharks on Friday.