Meeting a World Cup winner

Jonathan Carswell  |  Features
Date posted:  1 Jan 2004
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As the black cab swung into the long drive of Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot, Surrey, I saw this was no average hotel. The ivy-covered outer walls along with the open fire and lush, red leather sofa in its grand reception room, confirmed my suspicions. Why should this be an average hotel though? After all, it was housing 35 athletes and a managerial team who were the best English side for many years - England's Rugby Union team.

I was there to meet one man, Jason Robinson. His skills on the pitch, his private life and belief in God, have been well documented in recent weeks and I was looking forward to discovering him for myself.

At just 5 feet 8 inches you could be excused for thinking that Robinson would not stand out too much, especially as he arrived half an hour late for the interview, strolling down from his room, happily mixing with the crowd of players, press and RFU management. But you would be wrong. Jason did stand out - and not just because he was the only one wearing a suit! As we sat down in the vast gardens, enjoying the blazing sun, Jason wasn't too interested in talking about himself. Sure, he recognises his talent, and he has a huge passion to win, but there is something more important to Jason than playing rugby.

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