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Former England captain Chris Robshaw is set to play his final game for Harlequins at the Stoop this evening, in what is also his 299th appearance for the club.
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After 16 years in southwest London, the 34-year-old is set to join Major League Rugby’s San Diego Legion, bringing a close to an illustrious career in England.
While the 66-cap international’s credentials as a Harlequins legend do not need to be discussed, what is being frequently mentioned online is the unfortunate and undeserved circumstances in which a player of Robshaw’s calibre is going to bow out of the Gallagher Premiership.
Robshaw, alongside the likes of Saracens’ Richard Wigglesworth and Brad Barritt, are set to play, or already have played, their final games in empty stadiums, which is far from a befitting farewell.
Although Harlequins welcomed 2,700 spectators to the Stoop at the beginning of the month against Bath, the new government decision to delay the return of fans to stadiums means the 2012 Premiership winning captain will not even be afforded the chance to play in front of a partial crowd this evening.
Of course, the situation could have been worse for players like Robshaw, had the Premiership gone down the same route as the Top 14 and decided to annul the season. That would have meant he would have inadvertently played his final game before the Covid-19 pandemic. At least in this situation he can depart on his own terms, albeit in a slightly hollow atmosphere.
Indeed, Robshaw’s former teammate Mark Lambert actually ended his career during lockdown, meaning he did even have the chance to have a swansong. To avoid that fate, the flanker extended his time with Quins until the end of this campaign.
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With no chance of making the playoffs in the league, Robshaw’s 300th and final game for Quins will be next week, if he is selected, against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.
I’ve been at The Stoop for every Premiership game Chris has played in. So disappointing that I (and all fans) can’t be at his last home game. He’ll be a hard act to follow.
— Janet Scott (@JanetScott278) September 28, 2020
If only he could've had the send off he deserved. Been a excellent player for Quins. https://t.co/aH8kEmdA3M
— Jane Betterton (@B005Jane) September 27, 2020
If anyone ever deserved a 10 minute clap off, it's this man. I hope he walks off like @ugomonye ?
I hope Quins fire the sound system up for what he would've received!!! We'll all be cutting onions when be comes off!— Joe M (@Mini_dunk) September 27, 2020
Such a shame we can't be there to give @ChrisRobshaw the reception he truly deserves when he runs out tomorrow for his final home game.
An absolute star for our club and a great ambassador for English rugby.— Adrian Brown (@akbrown00) September 27, 2020
Decent side without a doubt, gutted we can’t be there to give Chris the send off he deserves, but will be there in spirit #ComeOnYouQuins
— Friends Of The stoop (@QuinsFOTS) September 27, 2020
It’s a massive shame that no fans are there tomorrow. A club legend and will be missed. Thank you @ChrisRobshaw for everything you have done for @Harlequins #ThankYouRobbo #COYQ
— Darren Over (@DarrenOver) September 27, 2020
Really feel for players like @ChrisRobshaw who have made such huge contributions to their clubs over long careers, and not getting the standing ovations from packed stands that they deserve before departing. https://t.co/43ft0DaEaj
— John Jeffreys (@J_Jeffreys) September 28, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments