Emily Robinson: Leadership and sisterhood at Exeter Chiefs

When Emily Robinson led her side out for the PWR Cup this summer having been named Exeter Chiefs captain, she felt part of a far bigger movement.

Sandy Park was no longer just the home to her club but was also a key host of Rugby World Cup fixtures that were changing the perception of the game she has made a career out of.

It is a legacy that stretches far beyond just those donning their international shirts in the tournament, with every player in the Premiership Women’s Rugby and beyond able to claim their part.

“Being in the PWR, even the Cup, it's all part of it. That felt cool to know that we were part of it and to be in it together,” said Robinson.

“We were lucky that there was a big group of us able to go to games at Sandy Park. We were all going to the game on the weekend. We might be watching on Saturday, playing on Sunday. 

“That was really cool because we all felt like we were a small part of that bigger puzzle.

“Then just having those days out together at Sandy Park, a few of us went to Bristol and to the final. 

“It's really nice to build those relationships at rugby. We're all interested in how the teams are doing and we gelled as a group as well.”

Winners are grinners 👏#BRIvEXE | #SheInspires pic.twitter.com/KcmIe1uvou

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) October 13, 2025

Taking the armband added extra responsibility for Robinson as she led development players through the PWR Cup.

While the nation spoke of inspiring a new generation, Robinson was at the forefront of ensuring the current generation are in a space where they can flourish on the pitch.

“A big thing for me is making sure Chiefs is somewhere everyone wants to be and wants to spend their time and feel like they belong there,” explained the 25-year-old.

“We’re trying to get those little bits right around our culture and stuff. [The PWR Cup] was a really good time for the club.

“We've had some really good young players come through and they've got good game time.

“In the Cup it's easy to pay lip service to what it's about, but we did a really good job in giving people consistent game time over the period and making sure they have the best chance to grow as possible.”

Having finished third in the PWR Cup, after defeating Bristol Bears 40-12 in the third/fourth play-off, Robinson’s start to life as captain is off to a strong start.

It is a role the flanker is supported in by her vice-captain and sister, Flo, who has now played alongside Emily at Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs.

Living together, leading together and playing together has made the Robinsons form a partnership that allows them to share a similar outlook on the pitch.

It is a sibling bond that they have channelled into a core strength of their leadership style as they take a united approach to tactics on and off the pitch.

“We both see the game very similarly, which is really helpful,” said Robinson.

“You have to all be on the same page when you're leading a group on pitch. The direction we want to go into, I'm lucky that it is me and Flo.

“Maisy [Allen, vice-captain] sees the game similarly as well, but it is really helpful. It's like we know what each other want to do.

“Say we've got a penalty here, are we going to go for line out? We have those ideas already in our heads and are having those conversations at home.

“We often do our analysis together or watch different games together in our spare time. We do see the game in the same way.”

Introducing your cup captains 🫡

Emily Robinson will take the captain’s armband for the competition with sister Flo and teammate Maisy Allen as vice-captains!

🗞️: https://t.co/V0gWJHcrAN

We can’t wait to see you all leading this team 👏#SheInspires | @ThePWR pic.twitter.com/4fCkrE15kT

— Exeter Chiefs Women (@ExeChiefsWomen) July 29, 2025

But while Allen and the Robinsons might lean on a form of sibling telepathy to communicate tactical choices, once they are on a rugby pitch Emily does not necessarily view Flo as her sister.

“I don't often think about it,” she reflected. “[Flo] got hurt last week and then you think, ‘Yeah, that's my sister. I want to make sure she’s OK.’

“But most of the time I  feel like she's just one of my mates, which is quite nice because we live together, we spend a lot of time together, so it works hand in hand.

“Maybe if she does something wrong, then I'm like, ‘Oh’, but that's not very often.”

And so far Exeter Chiefs are off to a strong start under their leadership. The PWR Cup success was followed by an opening day 24-12 win against Trailfinders Women away from home.

Chiefs finished agonisingly close to the play-offs last season, only behind Bristol Bears on bonus points, and it has left them hungrier than ever to reach that hallowed top four this season.

And with a strong PWR Cup campaign bolstering the depth of their squad and Red Roses like Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Maddie Feaunati returning to their ranks, there is a belief that such a goal is entirely possible.

“There's no doubt we’re going after top four,” asserted Robinson.

“We knew as a group that we weren't where we needed to be last year. The way the league was set up with it being six months of back-to-back games, it was quite tough for teams.

“When things aren't going your way, it's about breaking that momentum, finding your feet again, so that was tough.

“We've grown a lot as a group from those experiences. We're trying to be a lot more process-driven than outcome-driven now. We'll just make sure we are growing week on week.”