OWN CORRESPONDENT, Bath | Wednesday 1.30pm.
FORMER England and British Lions flanker Andy Robinson replaced Clive Woodward as England coach on Wednesday ahead of the two-Test series against South Africa, although the large membership of the anti-Woodward camp were not fully sated as he moved upstairs to the manager’s post.
Woodward twice missed out on the Five/Six Nations Grand Slam with losses in the final match of the last two campaigns and foolishly asked to be judged on last year’s World Cup when England exited at the quarter-final stage courtesy of a stunning kicking performance performance by Springbok flyhalf Jannie de Beer.
Woodward retains control of all England squad affairs, with Robinson reporting directly to him.
Robinson, who won eight England caps and was a member of the 1989 British Lions tour of Australia, has been released by Premiership outfit Bath and the 36-year-old will leave with the England squad for South Africa on Wednesday evening.
Robinson’s coaching career is something of a fledgling one, having replaced former Ireland coach Brian Ashton as Bath supremo three-and-a-half years ago.
Meanwhhile, British Lions flanker backrow forward Ben Clarke, a member of the 1995 England Grand Slam winning side, earned a call-up to the England squad for their tour of South Africa on Wednesday as cover for Neil Back and Martin Corry, who have picked up injuries. The 32-year-old Clarke, who made his Test debut in the 33-16 win over the Springboks in 1992 and has won 40 caps, will link up with the England squad at Twickenham later on Wednesday before heading for Johannesburg.
Back, a key member of the last two England Five/Six Nations squads and last year’s World Cup, suffered a knee injury during Leicester’s 85-10 defeat against the Barbarians at Twickenham last Sunday. Corry has a shoulder injury, but both he and Back will undertake the tour. — AFP