Jason Robinson backs 'naturally gifted' rookie for 2025 Lions tour

The widely acclaimed Jason Robinson has named the rookie player Andy Farrell must include on next year’s British and Irish Lions tour. The famed home nations combination side are due to visit Australia next June, 24 years after Robinson set the game of union alight by finishing his first season after crossing over from rugby league as a Lions tour star.

It was November 2000 when Robinson debuted for Sale Sharks following a 35-game campaign with league giants Wigan Warriors and by the time the Lions’ Australian tour ended the following July, he had played a total of 60 league/union rugby matches without an off-season – his last seven appearances coming in a Lions jersey.

Interviewed by Rugby World in its one year to go magazine on the 2025 tour, Robinson was asked if he saw any potential bolters earning selection for next year’s trip. In reply, he nominated Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the 21-year-old Exeter Chiefs winger who has earned six Test caps so far in 2024 with Steve Borthwick’s England, scoring four tries.

“I’m not sure if he is a bolter anymore but it’s got to be Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. I see someone who is quite raw and not fully tapped into as a prospect. Given more of an opportunity and utilised in the game more, he can do things.

“Give him the ball with nothing on and he can earn you five metres over the gainline. He is naturally gifted and keen to learn and develop. He will be special.”

Robinson also named Brian O’Driscoll as the one player from the 2001 tour to Australia who should be on the plane down under in 2025 if he was still in his prime and playing. “It has to be Brian O’Driscoll,” he enthused. “There are certain players who stand the test of time and he is one of them. His level was incredible and his game had everything. His skill-set was complete in attack and defence.”

Robinson massively got along with O’Driscoll on the 2001 tour, which ended in a two-one Test series win for the Wallabies. “I spent a lot of time with Brian on that tour. We were the two new kids – I had come from league and he was only 21.

“It worked out, us together, as it was the tour that set our international careers on fire. Another is Rob Henderson, the centre. We were like chalk and cheese. I was trying to be the ultimate professional; I didn’t go out, didn’t drink. Rob, on the other hand, was old school. He was all fags, room service and late nights but it worked for him.”