UK return off the cards for ex-England star Dan Robson

Former England scrum-half Dan Robson has moved a step closer to finishing his career in France after signing a one-year extension with Top 14 outfit Pau.

Stoke-on-Trent-born Robson, 32, who won 16 England caps, rejected the chance to stay in the Premiership and moved to Pau in 2022 after being made redundant when Wasps were liquidated.

Robson started his career with a five-year stint with Gloucester before moving to Wasps in 2015, where he played 162 games, including Premiership final losses in 2017 and 2019 to Exeter Chiefs.

He has played 55 games and scored five tries since moving to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, including touching down once in nine games for the club this season.

Pau finished ninth in the Top 14 last season after winning half of their 26 games, but they have struggled this time around. They are currently 12th with 15 points, one more than Stade Francais and four ahead of Vannes.

Robson, speaking to FR-UK Rugby in the summer, admitted that he loves life in France, making it no surprise that he has extended his stay for at least another year.

“Waking up and looking at their view takes your breath away. The ambition of the club drew me here, and we wanted to progress. We are where we want to be as a club instead of scrapping around at the bottom.

“I’m enjoying it, and that always helps. I want to tune up on the rugby here. I knew they were passionate, like most French teams are. But I got a bit of a shock when I first arrived and ran out at the Stade du Hameau.

“The town and crowd have bought into us. The crowds have gone through the roof. Every week feels like a big game, a bit of a knockout game, a bit of a derby because the crowds are just firing into you. It’s just brilliant,” he said.