I didn't know the rules when I made my rugby debut in England and then I won everything
WHEN I look back on all the matches, tournaments and trophies, the Six Nations will always hold a special place.
There is no better place to make a name for yourself as a rugby player. . . and on February 17, 2001, things really changed for me.
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I had only joined Sale in November, as the so-called rugby league star, when I was called up by England coach Sir Clive Woodward.
Three months into my union career I didn't even know the rules – and here I was playing in the Six Nations.
I had no idea how – or if – everyone would hate me while I was on the bench against Italy at Twickenham.
With twenty minutes to go, I found out.
I will always remember hearing the crowd shouting, 'Come on, turn on,' and as I took off the suit of my submarine this sound erupted.
I kept going and even though I didn't get many touches on the ball, I could see with every touch that everyone was behind me.
They loved that I was different, that I could beat five people and gain a yard, but still make it look really interesting.
From then on, every time I got the ball, the crowd was expectant and it made me even more excited.
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I knew playing international rugby union would be a step up, there would be more exposure and pressure, but I loved it.
You absorb the demands, the expectations, and use it as fuel, otherwise it will crush you.
How can you not love playing for your country, with about 80 thousand people in the stadium and millions of viewers on TV?
If that doesn't get you going, nothing will, and I was lucky enough to captain England too. What a proud moment.
But it was after that first Six Nations game that I really started to make progress.
Teams knew if they kicked at me, I would run it back.
The most important thing was that Sir Clive gave me the freedom and when you don't know all the rules, but you know what you can do with the ball in your hand, that's huge.
He just said, 'I don't want to change you, just go play. If you get caught, we've got Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, Neil Back. . . people who will save you'.
Don't get me wrong, I had to adapt.
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All Six Nations 2024 matches – dates, start times and TV channels
Part of me had the rugby league guy in there, learning the rules.
I managed to release the ball straight away in the tackle, although you release quite quickly when you have size 14 boots all over your back!
And going to the Six Nations gave me the opportunity to learn a new game and new skills, and as a result, I became a better player.
That's why I love it so much and that every year brings a special story.
Last time it was about players who tried to prove themselves for the World Cup.
Now the point is that some of them are licking their wounds and wanting to make things right.
This year's Six Nations couldn't have started with a bigger match than France vs Ireland last night.
But I'm sure there will be more great stories to come and players will make names for themselves – like I did all those years ago.
I would say to anyone given the opportunity, 'Don't shy away from who and what you are.'
If you believe in it, anything can happen. That did it for me.
The Jason Robinson Foundation remains committed to changing the lives of young people for the better.
For more information, visit jr-foundation.co.uk
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