20 Questions: Dan Robson – Wasps scrum-half
It’s huge for us. We’re back at the Ricoh and it’d be good to get a win to build some momentum going into the Champions Cup next week.
It’s your old club too, does it make it special?
It’ll be good to catch up with some of the boys but we’ll all have a job to do. I’ll have a Wasps shirt on and that’s how it goes. I’ll look forward to the challenge to face them as we’ll be enemies for 80 minutes and go at each other.
Do you keep in touch with some players?
I’ve spent a lot of time at the club growing up with some of them. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of banter flying around.
Have you kept an eye on Gloucester this season?
We’ve reviewed their games this week and they’ve changed their defensive set-up with a new coach coming in. Their defensive line is very quick now so we’ll have to work our way around that.
Big games required from the half-backs then?
We’ll have to get the ball out quickly to catch them off guard. We like to play with a fast tempo anyway.
How’s everything going at the club so far?
It’s been really good and I’m enjoying it very much. I’ve settled in well as everyone has made me feel welcome.
Happy to get your first start at Leicester last Sunday?
It was a massive game at Welford Road and hopefully I can build on that to push for a regular starting spot.
What did you make of the game itself?
We were massively disappointed to lose that game. Not to even get a losing bonus-point was tough but we gave far too many penalties away. We let them into the game.
Is it easier to move on when you gave the game away rather than not being good enough?
A bit of both. Leicester came at us pretty hard and they put us under pressure but we were still in the game despite not playing our best.
How’s your relationship with Joe Simpson?
Really good. We push each other pretty hard. We train hard together and we give each other criticisms and compliments. That’s what you want in a team environment because ultimately it’ll make me better.
You’re both quite similar, aren’t you?
We like to play the same kind of game and it suits the type of game wants to play. We like to run with the ball and be a threat around the breakdown. It’s good because we can help each other out a lot.
Does it make it easier for the coaches to switch between you too?
All the big clubs in Europe have a couple of players in each position able to do the same job and that’s where we aspire to be. Whether me or Joe start it doesn’t affect the tactics of the team.
So what do you have to do to oust Joe?
Keep working hard and take my chance when I get a start.
Can you retain your Champions Cup status?
That’s the minimum target for us. We want to be playing in that top competition. Everything that comes after that will be a bonus.
What about the Champions Cup and the pool of death?
It’ll be tough games after tough games with Toulon, Leinster and Bath in our pool but it’s like with the Premiership where there are no easy games.
Is it exciting or daunting to look at your fixtures list?
You’d be a bit crazy not to be daunted by it but the excitement it brings is massive. The depth in our squad will be tested but again it’ll be very exciting.
If not rugby what would you be doing?
It’s a difficult one. I’m just getting around but being a professional golfer would be nice. It’d be good to travel the world playing golf.
Three special dinner guests?
Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly and Dan Carter
Best and worst banter at Wasps?
Elliot Daly thinks he is the best and, to be honest, I’ve got to give it to him but Alex Rieder is the worst.
Best and worst dressed?
Tough day for Alex but he gets worst again while Sam Jones gets the nod for best dressed.
