Under pressure Robinson has no regrets over England job

BELEAGUERED England boss Andy Robinson last night came out fighting and insisted he had no regrets about taking charge of the ailing world champions.
Under pressure Robinson has no regrets over England job

England are one defeat away from equalling their worst run of championship results four successive losses for 18 years.

Robinson has endured a baptism of fire since succeeding World Cup-winner Clive Woodward.

But even though the knives are starting to appear, a dogged, durable Robinson has reaffirmed his appetite and commitment towards a job few would relish, given England's current status as Six Nations wooden spoon contenders.

"You don't take the job on to hide away from stuff. I'm passionate about England winning, and it's my responsibility. You have to take the rough with the smooth," he said.

"I believe in the management, the side that we have, I believe in the players that we have and I believe that moving forward is the key.

"I'm not going to blame other people, I'm not into a blame culture, an excuse culture. This is all about having some clarity and trying to lead us through two games where we haven't performed as well as we would have liked.

"But I'm confident that there is a good performance inside us, and I hope we produce that on Sunday.

"You have to be prepared for criticism. We knew all along that if England lose it was going to come my way, and rightly so. I'm the head coach," Robinson added.

"The only place you are going to turn it round is on the training pitch and in the next game. You are not going to turn it round by harking back to the past. You have to look forward.

"The message is clear. We are setting ourselves up with the belief to win this game. We've had two tough matches and we've only played in fits and starts. We need to put a performance together."

England's second-half demise against France last time out does not auger well for their chances of toppling an Irish side unbeaten in six starts this season.

Once again, injuries have forced Robinson's selection hand, with Phil Vickery following his fellow tight-head prop Julian White on to the casualty list and flanker Lewis Moody looking a doubtful starter because of a septic finger that has required hospital treatment.

Moody flew to Dublin yesterday to link up with the squad and a decision on his fitness will be taken by the England management this morning.

Andy Hazell stands by to take over from Moody, with Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones joining the bench contingent.

"We knew it was a tough series of matches, and Sunday is a huge game, but that's why we are in the sport.," said Robinson.

"They (Ireland) have won two out of two, they're playing the English, it's their first game at home and they are going to want to perform.

"Ireland are very adept in their tactics, and their home record is outstanding, so I am not even thinking about what happened here in 2003," added Robinson, in reference to England's stunning 42-6 victory at Lansdowne Road that clinched the Six Nations title as Grand Slam champions.

"I am not into sentiment, and that game is not relevant now.

"What is important is that you must get your tactics right against Ireland, ahead of all the other sides in the championship, because they are one of the most streetwise packs in world rugby.

"It's about performing on the day.

"We just have to improve the win percentages. That will make a big difference for us. We have lost games because of small margins of error that we inflict on ourselves, and we have just got to get those things right the lineout and contact areas."

"It is a massive challenge for us," conceded centre Ollie Barkley. "You have got to test yourself, and Brian O'Driscoll at the moment is the one you want to test yourself against."

O'Driscoll got a final all-clear from the Irish medical staff yesterday to start the game at outside centre.

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