Former Wales outside-half Nicky Robinson has revealed he felt he was unable to turn down an SOS from the Cardiff Blues.
Robinson has come out of retirement after being approached by his home town club due to an injury crisis.
The 34-year-old hung up his boots at the end of last season but has been persuaded by Blues coach Danny Wilson to put them on again on a short-term contract after youngster Jarrod Evans was ruled out with a broken jaw.
“When this opportunity came up, I slept on it overnight but I knew what the decision was going to be,” said Robinson.
“I thought rugby was finished and I was very comfortable with that but when your hometown club asks you to come back and help for a couple of months then it’s nigh on impossible to turn it down.
“I don’t know any player who wouldn’t want to finish at the club they started, especially when it’s your hometown club, you have such a strong affiliation and so many amazing memories.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, I’m really excited about it and that’s just grown as it’s got closer.
“As a fly-half you have to be vocal and that’s something I’ve always enjoyed. At this stage of my career I have experience and it’s important I help in any way I can.
“I’ve said to Danny I would help in any way I possibly can and if he wants me to help with the youngsters then it’s something I enjoy.”
The fly-half linked up for a second spell with the region on Monday, seven years after leaving for Gloucester in 2009, and could make his first re-appearance at home to Ulster on Saturday – either from the bench or starting at No.10 in place of Gareth Anscombe.
During his first stint Robinson established himself as a crowd favourite, making 125 appearances, scoring 666 points and famously helping his home region to the EDF Energy Cup and Heineken Cup semi-finals.
Only Gethin Jenkins, Taufa’ao Filise and Tom James were Cardiff Blues players when Robinson moved on but he has also worked with both Wilson and backs coach Matt Sherratt at Bristol
Now back in familiar surroundings he is hopeful the Blues can climb back into the Guinness PRO12 top six.
He continued: “I have been ticking over and doing bits at home, it’s only been four months since I last played so I’m hoping the fitness is still there and I just need a top up.
“It’s about getting up to speed as much as I can whether it’s fitness and weights, without overloading, or looking at the moves and defensive organisation.
“The structures are all very good and in the right places, Danny has his own coaching team and is assembling his own squad.
“That was reflected in the results at the start of the season and the confidence the squad were playing with.
“There’s a long way to go but it’s the start of the journey and they are going places, hopefully I can play a small part in that drive to push the region forward.”
