Robson quits Irish saying ‘I’ll be back’

FORMER London Irish lock George Robson refuses to rule out a return to top-flight rugby despite revealing his decision take time out to pursue business interests.

Robson, 31, was an experienced bulwark of Irish’s Championship-winning campaign but has decided not to extend his year-long stay ahead of their return to the Aviva Premiership.

Irish are set to announce a replacement this week, with Robson telling The Rugby Paper: “I haven’t fallen out of rugby but it was the right time to look at different opportunities.

“As a rugby player, nutrition is something you take a big interest in and I’m involved with an American company called MusclePharm, who are working with Munster and the Hurricanes and are breaking into the UK market. It’s a really exciting project.

“It’s something I’m pretty passionate about and I’ve been able to make a decision on my own terms at a relatively young age, but I’m definitely not announcing my retirement.”

Irish are favourites to be relegated but Robson backs them to spring a surprise.

He said: “I know that’s how people will see it but I don’t think there’s any clear group of teams you can say will be in the relegation mix. Knowing Irish as I do, they’ll be a very hard-working side, but you’ll also see good touches in attack and they have a strong academy.

“Any success London Irish have will not just be down to older heads like Ben Franks and Fergus Mulchrone, it’ll be built on the success of the youngsters coming through.

“They’ve got a good squad and they’re adding to it with good people like Petrus du Plessis who know what it takes, so they’re not just going to flake away and struggle.”

Robson believes Irish can emulate his old club Harlequins, who were relegated in 2005 but returned to claim a title seven years later on the back of homegrown talent.

He added: “There are parallels you can draw and at Harlequins we had guys like Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown, Jordan TurnerHall, Joe Marler and myself who came through.

“There are no guarantees but Irish have some great young players like Joe Cokanasiga, Harry Elrington and Johnny Williams. Elrington, for example, might not be on the tip of anyone’s tongue but he’s a great young prop who’s hungry for success.

“There’s a lot more like him – the biggest challenge in coming years might be hanging on to them, they’ll have to pay their young bucks what they’re worth.”