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Confirmed: Ex-England skipper Robshaw is moving to MLR on two-year deal
Former England captain Chris Robshaw will extend his career with a move to San Diego Legion, the 2019 Major League Rugby runners-up, once he sees out the currently suspended Gallagher Premiership campaign with Harlequins.
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The English skipper for the infamous 2015 World Cup was quickly linked with a switch to America once it became known in February that he would be calling time on his distinguished Premiership career at the end of this season.
That contract was set to expire on June 30 but Robshaw has agreed to an extension through to the conclusion of the suspended 2019/20 season and he will then head to California – and the MLR – where he has secured a two-year deal through to 2022.
“Signing a player with Chris’ profile, talent and experience is another major step for us, both on and off the field,” said Legion chairman Darren Gardner.
“Not only will Chris add a new and very significant dimension to our team, Ryan (Patterson, CEO/president) and I believe Chris has the skill set and capability to transform how rugby is played across Major League Rugby as a whole.”
? Player signing: International superstar and former England national rugby team captain, Chris Robshaw, will join us for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Welcome Chris to the San Diego Legion!
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More details: https://t.co/4WtaehyKhX pic.twitter.com/z8hvYYryme— San Diego Legion Rugby (@SDLegion) June 17, 2020
Robshaw added: “Each season the MLR has grown and advanced its reputation in professional rugby circles. I have been looking at my options to play in the MLR over the last twelve months and there have been plenty of rumours about where I might play.
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“In the end, it really was an obvious and easy choice for me. In a short period of time, SD Legion has built a reputation as being a world-class organisation. I’m very excited about being part of that organisation and helping continue to advance its reputation both on and off the field.”
Patterson said: “Bringing Chris to San Diego further demonstrates Legion’s commitment to elevating the profile of the sport of rugby in San Diego and across the US.”
It was June 9 when Robshaw revealed he would be available for Quins through to the end of the current campaign. “It’s great news to know I will have the chance to play my final game for my boyhood club,” he said at the time.
His last game for the club was the March 8 defeat at Bristol, the last match played in the Premiership before its coronavirus-enforced stoppage.
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Make sure to read a fascinating insight into @ChrisRobshaw's childhood by @RugbyPass. Robshaw was visiting his old club @MightyWarl, at one of Gallagher’s grassroots #TrainWithYourHeroes sessions last week: https://t.co/IwCYBD3z3r
— Gallagher UK (@GallagherUK) March 18, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
41 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
41 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
41 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
41 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
41 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
41 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
41 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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