Two big bangs echoed around the sports world last weekend and the fallout was positively radioactive. The first was a mighty explosion at Twickenham in London which sent shockwaves all the way to Australia and New Zealand. The second was a dramatic implosion in the deserts of Dubai which sent a message of hope to golfers worldwide.
Jason Robinson was the explosive device which ignited at Twickenham during the England-Scotland Calcutta Cup match. Not content to inflict serious damage on Scotland's pride through the ingenuity of Mike Catt and the devil-may-care darts of Iain Balshaw, England introduced 'secret weapon' Robinson as a second-half replacement.
His introduction had the same numbing effect as when Teddy Sheringham or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer come off the bench for Manchester United. It was easy to imagine the already battered Scotland backs saying to themselves: 'Jings, we dinnae need this.'
Robinson, of course, is hardly a secret having starred for years in the British rugby league team. Like fellow exiles from league Alan Tait and Scott Gibbs, he has the upper body strength so necessary in the 13-a-side game and raw running power.
Just as a collective intake of breath greets the appearance of Jonah Lomu in the New Zealand backline, the Twickenham crowd 'ohed' and 'ahed' Robinson's every touch and every forward lunge. He flattened guys twice his size with frightening ease and broke forward with menace in every stride. It was a cameo appearance that quickly took on epic proportions.
During his illustrious spell with rugby league, Robinson was one of the few players in the British side who could hold his own against the domineering Australians. That makes him special. Add him to a team that includes talent in Catt, Balshaw, Will Greenwood and Jonny Wilkinson in the backs and Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio up front and England may be ready to rid themselves of the 'underachievers' tag.
Australia and South Africa were put to the the sword without the services of Robinson and Italy and Scotland have felt the full force of new England with the league star in their ranks. Just maybe, the northern hemisphere has found a team that can battle the Wallabies and the All Blacks in the next World Cup.
