Robinson resigns, but defiant to the end

ANDY ROBINSON resigned as England head coach yesterday afternoon – then insisted he could still have overseen a successful World Cup defence.

Robinson insisted he retained the full confidence of England’s players and management team but was forced to fall on his sword by Rugby Football Union top brass.

And in scenes reminiscent of his predecessor Sir Clive Woodward’s departure in September 2004, he took a bitter swipe at the structure of English rugby as he headed for the Twickenham exits.