Robinson happy to go with the Flo
By Harry Scott-Munro
6/2/21
Young Exeter Chiefs scrum-half, Flo Robinson, says she is determined to keep building on a “a really good opportunity” when she starts against Allianz Premier 15s league leaders Harlequins at Sandy Park today (2pm).
A week ago, Robinson and her team-mates pulled off arguably the biggest upset in Premier15s history, as tries from Poppy Leitch, Kate Zackary and Rachel Johnson secured a 22-14 victory over the reigning champions, ending their 33-match unbeaten run.
Despite the euphoria of the result, Robinson and her fellow Chiefs have been keeping their feet firmly on the ground this week as they build-up to their clash with table-topping Harlequins.
“It’s been really good,” says Robinson reflecting on training. “We’ve been working on the things we did wrong against Sarries, so we’re really looking forward to Quins and putting the pieces together a bit more, and then hopefully improving our performance from last week.”
Robinson is very much aware of the challenge of trying to back up last weekend’s performance, but hopes her side will be able to display the “same mentality” that saw them secure victory last weekend.
“There were a few things that went wrong, a few things we need to fix and a few things that we want to make into super strengths if you will. It’ll be the same mentality, going out there and trying to prove ourselves against top of the league. It’s another big game.”
Last Saturday’s game was only Robinson’s second start of the season, but it didn’t seem to phase the 19-year-old, whose performance earned high praise from both Head Coach Susie Appleby and the national press.
Robinson, though, was delighted to get some more minutes under her belt having served as an understudy to Patricia Garcia for most of the season.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to learn and get more game time,” she added. “When Pat is here, she’s really good to learn off. She’s really nice to talk to and she’s really happy to help. She’s obviously in Spain now (on international duty,) but it’s an opportunity for me to get game time and keep learning.”
Last weekend’s clash also saw the club’s January arrivals finally get some minutes on the pitch, with American international Johnson scoring a try on debut. Their arrival has buoyed an already tightknit squad and given them a chance to take stock of where they are at.
“They’ve all fitted in really well,” explains Robinson. “They’re all really nice girls and really good additions, so it livens it up a bit. When you have to teach other people things when they come in, it refreshes things a bit which is always a good thing.
It’ll be another tough assignment for the Chiefs this weekend with the visit of the Londoners, who won the corresponding fixture 33-14 in Round 3. Robinson made her debut that day and she knows more than most of the physical challenge that Harlequins will bring, with her sister playing in the back-row for the visitors.
“They’re a quality outfit really. They’ve got good forwards, good backs. They’ve got a lot of really good players in there obviously with their really strong ball carriers. They’ve got good jacklers like my sister, so they’ve got threats all over.”
Today’s encounter will also be live streamed on the Exeter Chiefs You Tube channel and Robinson is delighted that her friends and family will be able to watch her play.
“It’s nice to know that my parents will be watching back home. I know there’s lots of other people as well. My friends at university watched the game (against Saracens) and it’s really nice for women’s rugby to know that people want to watch it and it’s growing. It’s a nice feeling knowing when you’re playing that people will be there watching you, although virtually!”