Robinson ‘expected’ to quit as head coach

ANDY ROBINSON’S time as head coach of the England rugby union will most likely end today although a Rugby Football Union (RFU) spokesman would last night not go beyond saying that a review of England’s November matches had started.

As speculation intensified throughout yesterday as to the England coach’s future, it seems certain that he was now “expected” to quit today.

Robinson, who met with RFU officials yesterday, has seen England win a mere nine of his 22 Tests in charge, with just a solitary away victory since replacing 2003 World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward two years ago.

Only one question, it seems, remains unanswered. Will Robinson resign or be sacked?

The former England flanker’s period in charge of the world champions also saw them chalk up a record-equalling seven straight Test defeats.

There has been widespread speculation for several months that Robinson, whose contract runs until 2008, would be forced out of his post before next year’s World Cup in France.

This intensified after last weekend’s 25-14 defeat to an under-strength South Africa at Twickenham — England’s eighth loss in nine Tests.

However, Robinson insisted after Saturday’s reverse that he would not be “walking away”.

Although a scrappy 23-21 victory over South Africa at Twickenham a fortnight ago prevented a record eighth successive loss, that performance was bookended by a 25-18 home defeat to Argentina, the Pumas’ first win on English soil, and last weekend’s loss to the Springboks which once more saw the hosts booed off the field by their own supporters.

Robinson hopes to be given time to compile a detailed report on England’s November matches which would be presented to the next RFU management board meeting on December 7.

England have only 10 Tests remaining before beginning their World Cup defence against the United States in Lens on September 8.

A replacement for Robinson will need to be chosen quickly if they are to be in place come the start of England’s 2007 Six Nations campaign at home to Scotland on February 3.

It is understood the existing coaching team of Brian Ashton (backs), John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence), appointed six months ago after the axing of England’s previous backroom staff, will be retained.

Whether that and the fact any new coach would have to report to RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew would put off Warren Gatland, the Kiwi former boss of English giants Wasps or former South Africa coach Nick Mallett, said to be the two leading overseas candidates for Robinson’s job, remains to be seen.

Otherwise, former England outside-half Andrew, who refused to comment to reporters when arriving for work at the RFU’s Twickenham offices here yesterday, could take a more hands-on role in the run-up to the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Bristol coach Richard Hill, Harlequins boss Dean Richards and England World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson have also been touted as possible successors.

No foreigner has ever been England head coach but Johnson’s appointment would be just as dramatic given the now retired lock has no experience of coaching or managing at senior level.

Johnson has been one of several former England internationals who have called on Robinson to quit.

He has made some very poor selections and decisions before and during games,” Leicester legend Johnson told the Mail on Sunday.

“So if you ask me if replacing the head coach at this stage — with 10 months to go before the World Cup — will make a difference, my honest answer is ‘yes’.”

If England do fire their coach, however, questions will still be asked of RFU chief executive Francis Baron who let Robinson stay on despite the total revamp of the backroom staff.

Meanwhile the players cannot escape their share of responsibility for England’s form.