Embattled Robinson vows to face challenge head on

ANDY ROBINSON faces the defining few weeks of his career as England head coach, insisting: “I have never ducked a challenge.”

England conclude their four-Test autumn series with a quick-fire rematch against South Africa at Twickenham today, and Robinson’s future remains the subject of intense scrutiny.

Even if England follow up last week’s victory over the Springboks by completing a double just 10 months before the countries’ World Cup pool clash in Paris, Robinson may not be around for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign.

His record shows just nine wins from 21 Tests, while the world champions also equalled their all-time low of seven successive defeats this year, which included a heavy home loss to New Zealand and a first Twickenham reversal against Argentina.

Detailed debriefs involving Robinson and senior Rugby Football Union figures are set to take place well before Christmas, although the 42-year-old is admirably retaining his sense of focus on a job he landed in 2004, replacing Clive Woodward.

“With the RFU, I have honest, open and frank discussions regularly, which is the way it should be,” said Robinson.

“I have nothing to hide, and I have never ducked a challenge. I have enjoyed this month because it is an honour to represent your country. You make sacrifices in terms of your family or your clubs, so it is important you enjoy it and accept the pressure.”

After the fall-out from England’s shambolic display against Argentina, winning — rather than quality of performance – was paramount six days ago. A 23-21 verdict might have been laced with errors and poor decision-making, while England suffered the added blows of seeing fly-half Charlie Hodgson and prop Andrew Sheridan suffer season-ending injuries, but their efforts during the final quarter turned things around.

Leicester’s Andy Goode takes over the number 10 shirt from Hodgson, and it will be no surprise if England target a percentage game, with Goode dictating matters behind a pack that sees first autumn starts for prop Phil Vickery, hooker Lee Mears and lock Chris Jones.

South Africa have lost three of their most influential players on duty last weekend – Butch James, Pierre Spies and Jacques Cronje – to knee injuries, suggesting England will start as favourites.

And a repeat result should not prove beyond Robinson’s men, but whether they can deliver a performance to appease the disaffected majority is debatable.