Twickers in a twist over Robinson departure

TWICKENHAM top brass were last night still unable to make an announcement about England head coach Andy Robinson’s departure — 72 hours after his final game in charge.

It is believed Robinson will resign, rather than be sacked, from a post he has filled for the past 22 Test matches.

England won just nine games during his time at the helm, their 13 defeats including a run of seven successive losses between February and November this year. The last straw was Saturday’s 25-14 defeat against South Africa — England led 14-3 just before half-time — making his exit inevitable.

Robinson was involved in talks with Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew yesterday, with severance pay details top of the agenda.

Discussions continued yesterday,although it is not known whether Robinson was involved, but Andrew left Twickenham just before 3pmwithout commenting to waitingjournalists or television crews.

Robinson should have been in Paris yesterday for the start of three days’ World Cup planning meetings — but that trip was aborted, with team manager Viv Brownrepresenting England.

Andrew could take a more hands-on role with England — working alongside existing coaches Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford — although overseas candidates such as Warren Gatland and Nick Mallett, together with England’s World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson and current Harlequins rugby directorDean Richards, all have theirsupporters.

England launch their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign against Scotland at Twickenham in little more than nine weeks’ time.

Rob Andrew left Twickenham just before 3pm without comment but returned at around 4.40 pm.

While Robinson is expected to step down it is believed that negotiations are continuing over his severance deal.

It is understood that RFU chief Francis Baron, elite director Rob Andrew and chairman Martyn Thomas asked Robinson to resign but he wants to stay on. But the RFU is prepared to force Robinson out if needs be.

It is thought that Robinson will be offered the same compensation package whether he resigns or if he is sacked.

Former Bath coach Robinson was assistant coach to Sir Clive Woodward and a key part of the coaching team which won the World Cup in 2003.

And when Woodward resigned in September 2004, Robinson was the RFU’s unanimous choice to take over.

The 42-year-old, who has a contract until June 2008, has led England to two consecutive fourth place finishes in the Six Nations, and has won just one away match.