This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/6185090.stm
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| Robinson resigns as England coach | Robinson resigns as England coach |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Andy Robinson has quit as coach of world champions England after a disastrous 25-month spell in charge. | Andy Robinson has quit as coach of world champions England after a disastrous 25-month spell in charge. |
| The 42-year-old, who succeeded Sir Clive Woodward in October 2004, lost 13 of his 22 games in the job. | |
| After three days of talks, the Rugby Football Union announced Robinson was standing down as coach on Wednesday. | After three days of talks, the Rugby Football Union announced Robinson was standing down as coach on Wednesday. |
| But in a statement, Robinson revealed he had been reluctant to go and insisted he still had the backing of his coaching team and players. | But in a statement, Robinson revealed he had been reluctant to go and insisted he still had the backing of his coaching team and players. |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| "It is my understanding that I had, and still have, the support of the England players and the England management team. | "It is my understanding that I had, and still have, the support of the England players and the England management team. |
| 606 DEBATE: Give your reaction to the news | 606 DEBATE: Give your reaction to the news |
| "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. | "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. |
| "For six years I have been proud to work with some outstanding people in the England team management and in the England squad." | "For six years I have been proud to work with some outstanding people in the England team management and in the England squad." |
| RFU elite director Rob Andrew said the decision to axe Robinson was "made with a great deal of regret as Andy has made a significant contribution to England during the six years he has been involved with the side." | RFU elite director Rob Andrew said the decision to axe Robinson was "made with a great deal of regret as Andy has made a significant contribution to England during the six years he has been involved with the side." |
| 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 | 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 |
| He added: "Andy played a significant part in England's Grand Slam, unbeaten tour to Australia and New Zealand and RWC success in 2003. | He added: "Andy played a significant part in England's Grand Slam, unbeaten tour to Australia and New Zealand and RWC success in 2003. |
| "He also recorded excellent wins against Australia, South Africa and Wales during his tenure as head coach and was always totally committed to the role. | "He also recorded excellent wins against Australia, South Africa and Wales during his tenure as head coach and was always totally committed to the role. |
| "The RFU will always be grateful for his contribution to the England cause. | "The RFU will always be grateful for his contribution to the England cause. |
| "Unfortunately, with the exception of the win against South Africa on 18 November, England's recent results have not gone the way that Andy, the players, supporters and the RFU would have wished for." | "Unfortunately, with the exception of the win against South Africa on 18 November, England's recent results have not gone the way that Andy, the players, supporters and the RFU would have wished for." |
| Under Robinson, England have slipped to seventh in the International Rugby Board rankings, finished fourth in successive Six Nations championships and damaged their chances of retaining their world crown. | |
| They have also lost eight of their last nine matches, one of the worst runs in the country's history. | They have also lost eight of their last nine matches, one of the worst runs in the country's history. |
| The latest defeat came on Saturday, when the England players were booed off the Twickenham pitch following a 25-14 loss to an under-strength South Africa side. | |
| With less than 10 months to the start of the next World Cup in France, the focus will now swiftly turn to Robinson's successor. | |
| World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, former South Africa coach Nick Mallett, Harlequins coach Dean Richards and former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland have all been linked with the post. | World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, former South Africa coach Nick Mallett, Harlequins coach Dean Richards and former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland have all been linked with the post. |
| So have Andrew and England backs coach Brian Ashton. | So have Andrew and England backs coach Brian Ashton. |
| Whoever takes charge, there is less than 10 weeks to go before the start of the next Six Nations tournament. |