RAF veteran Robinson helps GB defeat Australia in wheelchair rugby Paralympic opener

Great Britain’s wheelchair rugby team, who feature Royal Air Force veteran Stu Robinson, have won their opening game against Australia at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Robinson, who lost his left leg and then later his right leg whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2013, scored a staggering total of 23 shot tries to contribute to Great Britain’s 55-58 win.

The British team were neck-and-neck with Australia at 13-14 after the first period, and that closely fought contest continued up to half time, with Great Britain once again leading by a point over Australia at 27-28.

• Take a look at the Armed Forces' most successful Paralympians over the years
• Paris 2024: Armed Forces athletes to watch out for at the Paralympic Games
• RAF veteran sets sights on second wheelchair rugby gold at the Paralympic Games

In the third period, Robinson was once again showing his value to his team by bagging seven tries to keep Great Britain in the lead at 40-43.

Come the end of the final period, Robinson, along with teammate Aaron Phipps, contributed a grand total of 48 tries between them to help their team to a 55-58 win over Australia.

Great Britain are playing in group B in the preliminary rounds where they will next face Denmark on Friday before they face the home favourites, France, on Saturday.

Great Britain are the defending Paralympic champions from Tokyo 2020 and are one of eight nations competing in wheelchair rugby at this year's Paralympic Games.