Robinson hoping to dazzle back on the wing

Jason Robinson returns to the England wing against Scotland in their Six Nations match at Twickenham on Sunday hoping to reprise his scintillating performance for the Lions against Australia in 2001.

The Sale man has been a revelation since converting to rugby union from the league code two years ago and being moulded into a fullback by Clive Woodward.

But Robinson insists he has not forgotten the art of attacking wing play, which brought him 184 tries in a little over 300 games for Wigan.

"I would probably favour playing fullback because I have played there for the last 18 months, but I can play on the wing, and have for nine seasons before," he said.

"I played well for the Lions there and I would love another performance like that ... It's not a position that's unfamiliar to me and the main thing is to be picked.

"You get used to certain things and it will seem a bit funny, but the role is a bit similar and I'll just go out and play.

"The main thing is to get the ball in hand and make as many problems for the opposition as you can."

Robinson's replacement at fullback, Josh Lewsey, enjoyed an excellent debut against Italy, scoring twice in the 40-5 win, and Robinson is confident that the two can complement each other.

"Lewsey is a great player and he has been doing it at the highest level long before now. We can both mix it up, and the main thing is to go out and do what we both do best."

That sentiment was echoed by Lewsey, who was quick to reciprocate admiration for the man and stressed that Robinson's move to the wing was not a demotion.

"I have the utmost respect for him and it is not me pushing him out of position, it is about Clive getting the best out of both our games.

"We have talked about ways we can intertwine, using his skills to the best and perhaps mine as well."

Despite ousting Dan Luger from the side, Lewsey is not complacent, vowing to work hard and hoping to impress the coaching staff with another good display against the Scots.

"The strength in depth is phenomenal throughout the side so I won't let that enter my head. I'll just go out there and try to give a good performance."

Scotland's impressive win over Wales in the last outing has given England cause for thought, and Lewsey maintains the home side are not under-estimating the task.

"People are under no false ideas about what is facing us at the weekend," he said.

"They have got a world-class back three, plenty of creativity in midfield, one of the best scrum-halves in the world and a very mobile and physical pack of forwards, so there is no room for complacency."

* Vilified former Welsh captain Colin Charvis received a vote of confidence from coach Steve Hansen yesterday when he was recalled to the starting line-up for the clash with unbeaten Ireland in Cardiff.

The 30-year-old flanker returns to the first team for his 54th cap after a two-game hiatus - though he came on as a replacement in the defeats by England and Scotland - as one of seven changes, two of them positional.

The hosts will try to end a 20-year home losing streak against Ireland.

The England-born Charvis, who was on the Lions tour of Australia, had been castigated in the media after the defeat by Italy last month.

But Hansen, while dropping him, retained him in the squad and defended him staunchly.

Wales are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon and Hansen has opted to move Cardiff's Rhys Williams to fullback in the absence of the injured Kevin Morgan, with Llanelli's Mark Jones being handed the No 14 jersey.

Llanelli's first choice first five-eighth, Stephen Jones, holds on to the No 10 shirt, with Cardiff's Iestyn Harris keeping his spot on the bench at the expense of Pontypridd youngster Ceri Sweeney.

Jonathan Humphreys, who took over the captaincy from Charvis after Wales' shock opening loss to Italy, returns from a shoulder injury to replace Gareth Williams, who is out with a broken hand.

Pontypridd's Gethin Jenkins comes in at tighthead prop.

Veteran lock Gareth Llewellyn wins his 74th cap, with Steve Williams moving to the bench.

Only 20 men have played more tests than the Neath man, who made his international debut against New Zealand 14 years ago.

Swansea's Ben Evans does not make the squad, but Martyn Madden, of Llanelli, has made the bench after being absent for three internationals with a shoulder injury.

* France have postponed the announcement of their team for the match against Italy because four players are suffering from gastroenteritis.

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