Dr James Robson was the Lions team doctor and physio on six consecutive tours from 1993-2013 and he saved Will Greenwood's life on the 1997 tour.
He's chief medical officer with Scottish Rugby and worked on his 250th international during the 2021 Six Nations.
He is the man who saved Greenwood’s life when the young centre crashed onto the rock hard pitch in Bloemfontein on the 1997 British & Irish Lions Tour.
The anguish and concern felt by everyone was captured on the Living with Lions video which helped Greenwood understand what had happened after he was knocked out.
“I have no hesitation in repeating, with the information we got after that injury, that he saved my life,” said Greenwood, who went on to become a Rugby World Cup winner in a 55-cap England career.
That 1997 Tour, which saw the Lions defeat World Cup winners South Africa 2-1, was a mixture of tumultuous triumph and pain and remains Robson’s favourite rugby experience.
There was the joy of Jeremy Guscott’s series winning drop goal in Durban, the serious injury to Greenwood and also the desperate disappointment of losing Scotland lock Doddie Weir, whose knee ligaments were ruptured in a mid-week game.
LIST: 5 rugby players who underwent amazing body transformations
We’ve taken a look at some rugby stars who underwent a remarkable body transformations - and enjoy showing it off.
1. Jonathan Davies
Less Guinness and more hard work has seen the former Wales star transform himself during lockdown. He looks incredible!
2.Matt Dunning
When he was a prop for the Wallabies Matt Dunning weighed 130kg and was constantly mocked for his tubby frame. But since retiring from rugby union the 35-year-old has lost a staggering 40kg, dropping from 25 per cent body fat to just 11 per cent in six months.
3. Sam Warburton
The former Wales flanker worked his arse off to become one of the best players in the world with a body to match. He's now set up the
, which is an online training program that he's created in collaboration with his long-term training partner, Josh Davies. With more than 30 years of elite-level training experience between them, they know what’s required to maximise athletic performance.
4.Luther Burrell
The centre missed out on Eddie Jones’ first squad for the Six Nations Grand Slam triumph in 2016 with the Aussie labelling him “grossly overweight”.
He revealed his incredible body transformation online yesterday saying in the caption…
‘Putting a picture up like this for me was very challenging and potentially very embarrassing. It can sometimes put you in a vulnerable position…. So I seriously can’t thank everyone enough for contacting me, showing interest in my continued journey and also being kind I’m still smashing through messages, so please bare with me if I haven’t yet got back to you. •’
5. David Pocock
The Wallabies legend started out as an skinny 78kg teen who worked day in and day out to transform himself, with his size and strength came at a cost, Pocock told Australian Story.
Everyone’s loving seeing the old fellas from 1997 @lionsofficial
A few more from earlier in the week..
Super Heroes
Last shot is Dr James Robson - saved my life… thank you never seems enough!!