Jason Robinson said today his decision to return to rugby as Sale head coach was guided by God. The born-again Christian, who has achieved iconic status in both union and league, will take up the role from next season after a successful playing career with the Premiership club.
Robinson, 34, had been searching for a new challenge following his retirement as a player after the 2007 World Cup.
The lure of returning to Sale to work under Kingsley Jones, who will succeed Philippe Saint-André as director of rugby, was impossible to resist. Not that it was a straightforward decision for the former wing, who helped England to win the 2003 World Cup.
"My faith played a massive part in me coming back here," Robinson said. "It was important for me to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
"I pray about all the decisions I make, but I knew God was leading me down an avenue that I said I would never go down. Before Kingsley asked me, in February, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do. I was doing some grassroots coaching but I knew I had to get my teeth into something.
"I said, 'Lord, just show me, what is the right thing to do and where should I be?' I've had so many offers to come back and play but I knew that was the wrong avenue.
"When Kingsley came to me out of the blue and told me a job was coming up after it was announced Philippe was leaving to go to France, and that he wanted me to be his right-hand man, I prayed with my wife. And I just knew that I had to get out there again."
Robinson, a key figure in Sale's 2006 Premiership title success, has signed a two-year contract and is relishing the prospect of working with players such as England full-back Mathew Tait.
Leeds-born Robinson, whose feats at Wigan etched him into rugby league folklore before he switched to union, added: "I want the guys to realise how good they are and bring their ability to the fore.
"As a player, I'm 5ft 8in and obviously one of the smallest players about. But I just had such a confidence in my ability and I was mentally strong. I knew that it didn't matter who was in front of me, I was going to beat them. I want the guys here at Sale to have that sort of confidence in themselves."
Sale, who will lose a number of key players such as Luke McAlister, Sébastien Bruno, Sébastien Chabal, Lionel Faure and Jason White at the end of the season, look well placed to finish in the Premiership play-off places this season.
But it is the national side that concerns Robinson most, after the lack of discipline shown by England's players in the Six Nations matches. The Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care became the 10th sin-binning in four matches after his yellow card in last weekend's 14-13 defeat by Ireland at Croke Park last weekend.
Robinson, who won 51 England caps, said: "The best thing we can do, even though it's frustrating, is to try and get behind the players. The more criticism they get – and some of it is certainly deserved – won't help matters.
"Danny Care's ability is not in question, but at the same time, when you are under pressure you've got to think smart. I'm sure he will be kicking himself all week."
