Patient Robinson awaiting her second Red Roses chance

Exeter Chiefs’ Flo Robinson had to patiently wait for her first England cap. She’s prepared to play the long game for her second too as the Red Roses prepare to defend their Guinness Women’s Six Nations crown.

The scrum-half came off the bench against Italy for that first cap in last year’s Six Nations tournament, three years after she should have made her England debut along with her best friend and club team-mate Merryn Elworthy.

Robinson said: “That was a very interesting experience. It was the COVID year, so technically it was a friendly against France. The French, I don’t really know, forgot to put money on the meter or something and the lights in the stadium went out!”

This left Robinson and Elworthy sitting in the dark on the bench watching their chance of making their international debuts slip away. The game had reached the 60-minute mark, so the game was halted, leaving England’s win and number one ranking intact.

“It was very strange. It feels like some kind of fever dream. Me and Mez were quite disappointed.”

Friends and family tried to comfort Robinson, telling her “next time,” but she had to wait another three years to get her chance when the game was played in daylight at the LNER Community Stadium in York.

“It was a really nice day. Everyone at England makes a big deal out of debuts. Lucy (Packer) was the other nine and we’re good friends. At half-time, she was like, ‘Oh, I’m really excited for you.’ It was a really good experience.”

Having waited for her first cap for so long, Robinson has also had to wait for her second after missing out on selection for the Rugby World Cup squad. She still threw herself into the tournament though accepting media duties to promote the city and Sandy Park, plus flag-bearing duties.

“To be honest, I didn’t entirely expect to be there [in the squad] in the first place. I knew that they would probably take two nines. If they took three, then there was a question mark on whether it would be me or somebody else.”

Robinson continued: “It was really cool to see Sandy Park packed out for a women’s game. So even though I wasn’t at the World Cup, the whole experience of watching all the games down here was really fun and I’m glad I got to be a part of that and see it as a spectator in my own home city.”

Robinson’s lack of World Cup involvement meant she was free to head into her fifth preseason with Exeter Chiefs Women and to work on improving her game in line with England feedback.

“The main thing I have been trying to get better at this season is just getting the ball out as quickly as possible…just get in and out of the rucks.

“I’m not going crazy with anything; not thinking I’ve got to play out of my skin here. I just like doing what I do best and I’m enjoying it.”

The 24-year-od has been a pivotal part of the Chiefs Women’s 2025/26 campaign. She has played 18 games this season and scored six tries, while continuing in her leadership role as a vice-captain.

The hard work has clearly paid off with Robinson called up to the Red Roses squad for this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Their first game will be played against Ireland at a packed Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.

Robinson said: “There’s no guarantee for selection. There’s a couple of other very good nines in there, so we’ll see what happens.

“I think it should be very interesting post World Cup; it’s a new World Cup cycle and there’s a fair few new players in there.”

She added: “I try to be very patient. Maybe being patient isn’t the right thing to do and maybe it’s being impatient that will get you where you want to be.

“But the last few years, I feel like I’ve gotten to where I want to be as a player. Hopefully it pays off, but we shall see.”