“Bomber” makes it to Dream Team

ROBIN “Bomber” Hislop has been named in The Rugby Paper’s Championship Dream XV.

The 28-year-old, the son of Frances Hislop and the late Brian “Bomb” Hislop of Terrona, fought off competition from across the division to be named the championship’s top loose head.

Hislop made 17 appearances in Donny blue in 2019/20 and recently recommitted his future to the club by signing a two-year contract extension.

Hislop became the second new arrival ahead of the 2018/19 season as he returned to Castle Park from Ayr RFC.

He first signed for the club ahead of the 2016/17 season from Rotherham Titans and enjoyed an impressive start to life as a Knight, featuring in each of the 1^st XV games of the season before suffering a serious shoulder injury just after the new year.

The injury sidelined the prop for the rest of the campaign before he returned home to continue his rehabilitation.

Once fit, he made waves in the Scottish Premiership and Clive Griffiths, director of rugby, moved quickly to bring him back to South Yorkshire.

Before moving to England, Robin developed through the academy of Edinburgh Rugby, going on to make a handful of first-team appearances in the European Cup and Pro12.

He also collected age grade honours with Scotland at under 17, 18 and 20 levels, eventually going on to captain the U20s. He appeared for Scotland Clubs against Ireland Clubs in 2013.

Now back in South Yorkshire, Hislop has made the Knights’ number one jersey his own.

He also helps coach National Division Two North side Sheffield Tigers.

The Langholmite discussed his selection for the dream team, along with life in lockdown and introduces fans to Woody, his 13-week-old Miniature Dachshund.

He said: “It’s obviously a very tough time for everyone. The club has been very good and let me borrow a lot of equipment. I’m doing weights in the morning and I’m on the assault bike and running in the afternoon.

“I’ve finished my Level 3 coaching which has kept me pretty busy and I’m buzzing about that.”

On hearing he had been picked as the number one jersey for the dream team, he said it was a nice surprise and a pick-me-up on a Sunday morning.

Last season had been frustrating and he said that, with the squad they had, they should definitely have been much higher.

Everyone said that across the board but, for whatever reason, they did not function as well as they wanted to.

He looked forward to restarting when it was safe to do so.

“We’ve all been sitting at home, including our supporters, and there’s been no sport on TV.”

He told fans: “Stay positive, keep yourself busy and trust that the boys are working hard and determined to get back to it.”