Robinson concentrating on team affairs

Andy Robinson is adamant that English rugby’s volatile political climate will not be allowed to affect the national team’s performance this season.

The reigning World Champions are barely five weeks away from their Autumn Test opener against Australia at Twickenham.

But head coach Robinson oversaw a five-day training camp for his Autumn Test squad at Loughborough University this week against a back-drop of huge unrest between the Rugby Football Union and England's Guinness Premiership clubs.

Central contracts for international payees are on the Twickenham agenda a move that Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation for the leading clubs, vehemently opposes while £120,000 (€175,000) in Lions compensation cash is being withheld from Leicester, Wasps and Sale Sharks after they fielded players before the end of an eleven-week rest period.

On top of that, news has emerged of an attempt by the RFU to buy controlling stakes in several Premiership clubs, a move they would fund to the tune of some £15 million (€22m).

Despite the politics though, Robinson must prepare a squad charged with turning around a dismal sequence of results since England won the World Cup almost two years ago. England have lost nine out of sixteen Tests since that night in Sydney, slipping to sixth place in the world rankings.

Robinson described the Loughborough training camp as a resounding success, and he was keen to accentuate the positives as his players returned to their clubs.

"The great thing is that the players came here, trained brilliantly and will now go back to their clubs and hopefully do the same," he said.

"There has been no thought of the extra-curricular activities that are going on.

"They are side issues for us, because we are preparing a team to play against Australia which is a huge test.

"It is great that the RFU and PRL [Premier Rugby Limited] are at the table and that they are talking. That is what we want," Robinson added.

Robinson's squad will meet up again on October 31, remaining together to prepare for the three November contests against Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.

But Robinson revealed that the eight players not involved in the Test 22 each week would go back and play for their clubs in Premiership game.

"It is about working together, but the one thing we will not do is compromise England's performance," he said.