Andy Robinson lost his job as head coach of the England rugby team on Wednesday with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announcing he was standing down with immediate effect.
”On behalf of the RFU I am announcing that, further to recent England results and performances, Andy Robinson OBE is standing down from the position of head coach with immediate effect,” said RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew in a statement.
During his two years in charge since succeeding World Cup-winning boss Sir Clive Woodward, Robinson saw England win just nine out of 22 Tests, with 13 defeats — including a record-equalling run of seven straight losses completed earlier this month.
After his last match in charge, a 25-14 defeat by South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, England’s third in four matches this month, Robinson vowed he would not ”walk away” from his post.
But in a statement on Monday the 42-year-old former England flanker said: ”Following last Saturday’s match [against] South Africa my position remained that I was confident that I would coach the England team through to a successful World Cup in 2007, not withstanding the setbacks that we have had through the autumn.
”It is my understanding that I had, and still have, the support of the England players and the England management team.
”However, in the last 48 hours, I have been advised by senior colleagues that those who have governance over me — the RFU Management Board — do not, and will not, continue to support me as England head coach.
”Therefore, it is with regret that I have agreed a parting of the ways with the RFU and I will cease to be England head coach with immediate effect.
”For six years I have been proud to work with some outstanding people in the England team management and in the England squad.
”They all understand the responsibility, sacrifice and hard work that it takes for England to win. I would like to thank each of them for their support and professionalism throughout.”
Robinson concluded his statement by pleading for reform of the English game, which has been plagued by club vs country rows since rugby union went professional over a decade ago.
”On the occasion of my departure I leave very much hoping that, rather than sacrificing any more England victories and sacrificing more quality coaches, that the professional game in this country admits that the current structure and system for developing elite rugby players and performance in the international arena is not working.
”If that is so, then my successor may have a sensible platform from which to meet everyone’s expectations for England success.” — AFP
