ANDY ROBINSON resigned as England head coach yesterday afternoon – then insisted he could still have overseen a successful World Cup defence.

ANDY ROBINSON has had his last game as England coach, according to the BBC.

ANDY ROBINSON has vowed to continue as England head coach despite the world champions’ demoralising and humiliating run of seven successive defeats.

Andy Robinson has warned that England’s chances of defending the World Cup will be ruined unless he receives the full support of all the Guinness Premiership clubs next season.

FORMER Irish international Conor O’Shea has been promoted by the RFU in England to the position of national academy director in a backroom re-shuffle yesterday which saw Andy Robinson retain his position as England coach, but a host of his lieutenants get the chop.

ENGLAND could add a Grand Slam-winning coach to their backroom team for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan has braced his players for a ferocious onslaught from England tomorrow with the stricken world champions seeking to “exorcise their demons".

Twickenham boss Francis Baron has stressed the need for England to halt their slump ahead of Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship appointment with Ireland.

Former Lions back Austin Healey believes it is time for Andy Robinson to stand down as coach after England’s 31-6 defeat by France virtually ended their hopes of claiming the Six Nations Championship crown.

Newspaper reports suggest England coach Andy Robinson could be asked to restructure his backroom staff in the wake of this year’s Six Nations campaign.

England fly-half Andy Goode has demanded a significant improvement from his side as they bid to recapture the Churchill Cup on Sunday.

Canada 5 England 29

England rugby skipper Pat Sanderson today reminded his Churchill Cup squad that Test recognition will reward those who perform in Canada over the next three weeks.

England 39 Barbarians 52

THERE’S something about the English arriving at Lansdowne Road that stirs the passion. With the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, this is likely to be their last game in this stadium, as we know it.

World Cup winner Mike Tindall claims tomorrow’s Twickenham clash against Canada provides a “perfect start” to the international season for new-look England.

England’s World Cup coaching team is set to be reunited for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer.

ANDY ROBINSON last night rolled up his sleeves and prepared to tackle the toughest task in British sport - replacing Clive Woodward.

England sevens sensation Ugo Monye made things look easy in victories over Taiwan and Tonga – but coach Joe Lydon was still taking nothing for granted after day two of the Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens.

Andy Gomarsall and Phil Christophers, who both made substitute appearances for England against Wales 10 days ago, will be on A team duty later this week.

England coach Clive Woodward has left the door open for players to earn promotion from the A squad to the senior side after seeing his preparations for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy wrecked by injuries.

English rugby was in mourning today following the death of Harlequins’ scrum-half Nick Duncombe.

England boss Joe Lydon heaped praise on his side after they pulled off a shock to win the World Sevens Series in Brisbane today.

Gloucester’s Henry Paul is aching to play against Zurich Premiership leaders Leicester on Saturday despite his new England Sevens team-mates flying off to Beijing without him.

Officials from rugby union and rugby league are expected to meet later next week to thrash out a dispute which has emerged over the 'poaching' of young talent from the 13-man code.

The Rugby Football Union have denied allegations that they are planning a raid on rugby league.