The fate of England's beleaguered head coach Andy Robinson is still unclear after further talks on Tuesday.
Andy Robinson has stepped down from his post as coach of the England rugby union team.
Robinson is expected to step down but it is believed that negotiations are continuing over his severance deal.
Robinson's future had been in doubt after England's recent disappointing form which saw them lose 13 out of 22 Test matches.
He was involved in talks with Rugby Football Union (RFU) elite director Rob Andrew on Monday but it is not known if he was part of Tuesday's discussions.
The 42-year-old succeeded World Cup-winning boss Sir Clive Woodward as coach in late 2004.
The RFU has attracted widespread criticism for the delay in making an announcement on Robinson's future.
The RFU's former performance director Chris Spice, who resigned in protest at the decision to keep Robinson on in April after a poor Six Nations Championship, said: "(The RFU) have to look at themselves.
ANDY ROBINSON FACTFILE 1964: Born Taunton, 3 April1986: Joins Bath1988: Makes England debut against Australia1992: Leads Bath to league and cup double in first season as captain1997: Appointed Bath coach after resignation of Brian Ashton1997: Sir Clive Woodward installed as his assistant at Bath1998: Leads Bath to Heineken Cup glory with a 19-18 win over Brive2000: Appointed assistant England coach2000: Named as assistant coach for 2001 Lions tour to Australia2003: Helps England secure the World CupOctober 2004: Appointed England coach
"They have to look at the process of how decisions affecting the elite game are made," he told The Guardian.
"Rather than relying on amateur committee men, there should be professionals in charge."
Former South Africa coach Nick Mallett, who has been linked with Robinson's job, added: "There are major issues which need to be addressed by the RFU.
"People are focusing on Robinson, but they are blind to other errors that have been made.
"I don't know if I could make a success of a scenario whereby you're told, 'Here are your three assistants'."
It is understood that Andrew, RFU chief Francis Baron and chairman Martyn Thomas asked Robinson to resign but he wants to stay on.
The RFU, however, 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.
Robinson had been due to take part in three days of World Cup meetings starting on Tuesday in Paris but team manager Viv Brown has gone instead.
England lost for the eighth time in nine matches on Saturday when they were beaten 25-14 by South Africa.
World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is understood to be first choice to step into the breach.
If he is not available, former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland or Mallett will come into the frame.
England have lost 13 of their 22 Tests under Robinson - including three of this month's four autumn internationals - and have slumped to seventh in the IRB world rankings.
Robinson's team were booed off the pitch by the Twickenham crowd for the second time in three matches after their 25-14 defeat against South Africa on Saturday.
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.
The RFU conducted a review after the 2006 Six Nations, and Robinson survived despite assistant coaches Phil Larder, Dave Alred and Joe Lydon all losing their jobs.
Brian Ashton (attack), John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence) have since been appointed under Robinson, while Rob Andrew has taken on the elite director of rugby role.
But the changes have failed to spark a revival in England's fortunes.
