Robshaw’s new goals after gaols
ENGLAND will go into Saturday’s Test against Argentina with support from the most unlikely of places – a maximum security prison in Buenos Aires.
The inmates developed a soft spot for the red rose on the back of a training session the squad took part in with them during England’s June tour.
If today’s workout with Wales is unusual in rugby terms, it was nothing to mixing it with the mean hombres in San Martin prison.
“It was a pretty daunting experience going in,” said England flanker Chris Robshaw. “As you go through the barriers – the first one, the second then the third – you see dogs walking about and guards with machine guns. You’re thinking, ‘I don’t know if we should be in here’.
“There were 40 or 50 guys there waiting for us on the pitch. We were told not to ask what they were in for but it was a maximum security prison, so I imagine they weren’t in for great things.
“They were all warm and welcoming. There was nothing malicious or aggressive. They hugged us and shook our hands as soon as we got in there and we were getting kisses off the guys at the end.
“We got in there, playing touch and doing drills and their appreciation for us coming in was massive.”
The visit was linked to the RFU’s Try For Change initiative, which supports the use of rugby for social good at home and abroad.
The project in Argentina, which sees inmates train twice a week, requires the prisoners to learn the sport’s principles of discipline and respect as well as the game itself.
“The usual reoffending rate there is 60 per cent but with the numbers that come through this programme that figure is down to five per cent, so it is having a massive influence in reforming people,” said Robshaw.
“For the people there to be so involved in rugby and the effect it can have was quite inspiring. They spoke about how people behave well in the prison so they are allowed to do their rugby training.
“As a young kid, I was stubborn and wanted to do my thing but rugby was brilliant in that it gave me that discipline and that selfcontrol. That’s why we love the game because it can help people in all walks of life.”
If the correctional facility visit was an off-field highlight of the tour, there were plenty on it too with England coming out on top 2-0 in a thrill-aminute series despite the absence of their Lions.
“Both games were pretty entertaining. Our defence wasn’t good enough in either of the Tests and that is a massive work-on for us this week,” said Robshaw.
“In the past with Argentina, it was probably set-piece then back to No9 or 10 and kick. They still have a very strong set-piece but in recent times they are playing a lot of rugby. They are stretching teams across the pitch and scoring tries. They have that balance with a dangerous backline.”
It will be England’s fourth meeting with Argentina in 12 months with their next meeting in Tokyo at the 2019 World Cup.
If there are psychological blows to land, they are less of a priority than in improving a side who have won 20 of their past 21 Tests still further.
“Before the last World Cup we beat Australia two years running and then lost in the World Cup so anything can happen, but you want to put a good run of form together. You want to be able to win and back that up consistently,” said Robshaw.
“We want to make sure we keep on building, beat Argentina and keep our game moving forward. Eddie Jones has said that we are in a good place but it is now about kicking on and going to the next gear. We know how want to play, but it is about accelerating that.”