Robinson hails Tindall impact (From Gazette Series)

World Cup legend Robinson praises the Tindall factor

9:22am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport By SNJ Sport

GLOUCESTER'S array of attacking talent have already started to have an impact on the international scene and Jason Robinson insists his World Cup winning teammate Mike Tindall deserves a lot of the credit.

The 34-year-old centre is combining his continued playing career with his role as backs coach at Kingsholm.

And with the likes of Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees already on Stuart Lancaster's radar and with the in-form Jonny May surely not far behind it is a great time to be involved with the Cherry & Whites.

And Robinson insists that Tindall's unmatched experience at the top-end of the game will see him become as successful a coach as he was a player.

"Mike has got great experience and been around the England set-up for a long time and has been in almost every situation on a rugby field," said Robinson, speaking in his role as an ambassador for the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens.

"And with that he has so much knowledge to pass on. It is great to see after a tough spell he is enjoying it all and avenues are opening up for him.

"I am sure they will enjoy what he is doing at Gloucester and long may it continue for them as they have done well this season.

"He is a tough player and a character and that is what is helping him at the moment but they have some great young players there and he has certainly helped them.

"There are some really exciting players like Jonny May who I am sure will have their hands on an England shirt in the future and when you have got the opportunity to work alongside those guys who have a lot of talent and enjoy the game there is no greater feeling for a coach than seeing them succeed.

"Coaching is a great job in many ways but it also has its ups and downs and he is a guy that can ride the storm as he has shown so he will continue to put that effort in and we will continue to see the improvements in the players and that will encourage him to keep going.

"When you see guys doing the business on the field that is your reward as a coach."

At the end of this season there is a British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, an honour that Tindall, despite playing in two World Cup finals, was never fortunate enough to be involved in. But for those who get the nod, Robinson has advised them to make the most of every experience on offer, but to make sure they don't forget what they are there for.

"It is something you will never forget and it is the ultimate test and challenge. Being selected is one thing but coming back with a series win is what everyone is striving for," he added.

"During my two trips we weren't able to do that. We should have done it in 2001 and we were well beaten in 2005 but the Lions certainly came a lot closer in 2009 and I have a good feeling about this time.

"We have got some great players going over in good form and the time is right for the Lions to notch up a series win and I am hopeful they can do that in 2013."

2001 British and Irish Lions legend, Jason Robinson is an ambassador for the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens and will be running coaching clinics during the tournament courtesy of HSBC. For more information visit www.rpns7.co.uk/p/hsbc-coaching-clinics