Jamal Ford-Robinson is detailing exactly what the award he received at Gloucester’s finish of season bash was for when finally he explains that “primarily it’s about being an excellent membership man”. Given his standing amongst his friends, you’d be arduous pressed to search out anybody who he has shared a dressing room with to argue.
The award was a welcome finish to a busy season for Ford-Robinson that started in mid-October when, after he was summoned into the squad on the eleventh hour and scored the profitable attempt in opposition to Harlequins. It might but finish with a second winners’ medal of the marketing campaign with Gloucester dealing with South African aspect the Sharks in Friday night time’s Problem Cup remaining whereas alongside the best way he has hit a century of Premiership appearances in addition to 100 matches for Gloucester – celebrating every landmark within the self-deprecating fashion that makes him such a well-liked determine.
So how will he spend his summer season reflecting on all of it? “Weekend getaways within the caravan,” he says. “I’m all concerning the caravan life in the mean time. I went right down to Brean [in Somerset] and bought some critical caravan envy as a result of we positively had the smallest one. However I solely paid £3,500 for our one and I’m very pleased with it. It’s large enough for me, the missus and the canine.”
Add caravanning to the already burgeoning listing of pursuits that Ford-Robinson enjoys. And in his case, enjoyment is the operative phrase. He has dabbled in wrestling – “I’m undisputed, undefeated, nonetheless 1-0!” – in addition to esports teaching and he’s quickly to be reunited along with his American muscle automobile. He’s a eager photographer and has not too long ago began vlogging, whereas it was throughout lockdown that his TikTok movies – which began out as a solution to “maintain me sane” – went viral. To the extent that he was given a group award by Premiership rugby and heralded as a “one-man lifter of spirits”.
The TikTok movies could have dried up of late – although certainly one of Ford-Robinson having his damaged nostril mended has obtained 1,000,000 views – however he’s outstanding on social media, entertaining and fascinating in equal measure. He has a giant persona and doesn’t thoughts sharing it. “I used to be in Leicester’s academy from 16 till 18/19 and one of many points I had was that I simply didn’t have something happening outdoors of rugby,” says Ford-Robinson. “It wasn’t wanting superb for me when it comes to transferring on to a senior contract. That was fairly powerful, it was a darkish interval in my life and that’s what has led me to being the individual that I’m now. It’s about not taking your self too significantly, not taking life too significantly, discovering issues outdoors of rugby which you could get some enjoyment out of.
“It’s not that dropping on the sector doesn’t damage, you by no means wish to stroll off the sector feeling such as you’ve not carried out sufficient, however on the finish of the day it’s such a small a part of what your life may be and in the event you let that turn out to be all consuming I simply don’t assume it’s a really constructive factor.”
As wholesome a view as Ford-Robinson evidently has, you sense a touch of wariness to keep away from coming throughout as somebody who shouldn’t be invested sufficient in Gloucester’s fortunes. For all that his off-field pursuits can garner consideration, equally, he’s happy his performances on the pitch have been recognised this season.
“I don’t take myself too significantly, I’ve very a lot prepared to be open and have a joke however it’s additionally good to obtain an award like that, particularly from Skivs [George Skivington, Gloucester’s head coach], as a result of he doesn’t give a flying monkeys about social media,” says Ford-Robinson. “I’m undecided he’s heard of it. So to have that recognition for what I’m doing on the sector as properly is huge.
“One of many issues that was referenced by Skivs when he introduced me because the winner of the award was some motion within the Prem Cup remaining. I used to be resulting from begin the sport at loosehead however we had just a few issues occur through the week and I ended up being on the bench at tighthead. I used to be moved round to facilitate the larger image.”
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A sufferer of his versatility maybe – Ford-Robinson is a uncommon breed in that he’s equally comfortable on both aspect of the scrum – however clearly somebody valued by Gloucester. When reaching his a centesimal recreation the previous chief government Lance Bradley defined how Ford-Robinson “is without doubt one of the finest individuals I’ve ever labored with, together with in my pre-sport days. No matter trench you had been in, you’d need him with you.”
He will probably be wanted within the trench with the Sharks packing a bunch of Springbok energy of their ahead pack together with the prop Ox Nché and the second row Eben Etzebeth. Ford-Robinson is conscious of their skills however doesn’t strike you as somebody who will probably be overawed by the event, nor succumb to paralysis by evaluation.
“You noticed what [Nché] did through the World Cup. After I’ve seen him play I’ve been very impressed. Not that I’ve bought an all-seeing eye for it. However you wish to play in opposition to the massive gamers and see the way you fare. If I watch rugby on the uncommon event it’s extra to simply watch it as a recreation of rugby. On the finish of the day he’s simply one other human being.”
Gloucester head into the match on the again of a welcome win over Newcastle to spherical off their Premiership season and flush the 90-0 drubbing by Northampton out of their system. “Our Premiership performances aren’t the place they need to be however I name it again to the Prem Cup remaining, profitable that at residence, you don’t get that chance fairly often and being in a European remaining and hopefully strolling away with that one. Whenever you look again at your profession, you’re not essentially going to recollect league positions, it’s extra, ‘do you do not forget that remaining down in Tottenham? Do you do not forget that remaining that we had at residence.’ It’s these massive events when you’ve trophies on the road that can relaxation in your reminiscence.”
