Robinson adamant he can handle pressure

DEFIANT head coach Andy Robinson has insisted he can handle the pressure after presiding over England’s worst slump for 34 years.

The ailing world champions have lost six Tests in succession ahead of this afternoon’s Twickenham clash against Argentina. A seventh defeat would not only equal a similarly dismal sequence established during the 1971 and 1972 seasons, but inevitably raise fresh doubts about Robinson’s future as England boss.

“If I could not cope with the pressure, I would have walked away three or four months ago, but you deal with what happens. In this job, you must learn and move on.

“I expect the supporters to back us during this process, because they do, as a rule.

“I hope they realise there will be some tough times against Argentina, and we need their backing, which means a lot to the players.

“We had some excellent periods against New Zealand last weekend, but we are looking for an 80-minute performance and more accuracy in the execution of what we are trying to do.”

England’s set-piece work will come under the microscope, especially at scrum time, where props Perry Freshwater — who makes a first Test start, aged 33 — and Julian White could have their hands full against respective opposite numbers Omar Hasan and Marcos Ayerza.

Argentina will also demand big performances from in-form brothers Igancio and Juan Fernandez-Lobbe amid the heat of forward battle, while England scrum-half Shaun Perry can expect a rare old tussle against one of his Bristol number nine predecessors, Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot.

Perhaps the real key though, is at fly-half, where Felipe Contepomi possesses a sufficiently good enough all-round game to eclipse Charlie Hodgson, especially if Hodgson goes absent without leave, as he did for spells during last Sunday’s record 41-20 home defeat against New Zealand.

England aren’t the only side looking for an improvement in fortunes with Australia hoping to dispel the disappointment that surrounded the 29-29 draw with Wales last weekend, with a win against Italy in Rome.

Their performance was not without its bright spots, however. Scrumhalf Matt Giteau was hailed as “class personified” by Australian selector Michael O’Connor. Giteau has retained his place in the starting lineup for the game against Italy, as has flyhalf Mat Rogers, though around them coach John Connolly has made five changes.

Brendan Cannon takes over as hooker from Tai McIsaac and Guy Shepherdson steps in for Rodney Blake at tighthead prop. Lock Mark Chisholm starts in place of Daniel Vickerman who damaged a shoulder in the Welsh match. Flanker George Smith replaces Phil Waugh while Stirling Mortlock reclaims the captaincy after knee surgery a month ago.