Andy given chance to save his job

LONDON – Beleaguered England coach Andy Robinson has been handed what amounts to a last chance to save his job in the upcoming back-to-back Tests against South Africa.

Robinson escaped the sack on Monday after a meeting with Rugby Football Union (RFU) chiefs to review Saturday’s 25-18 defeat by Argentina at Twickenham. The Pumas’ first win at the home of English rugby was also England’s seventh straight Test defeat, equalling their worst ever record.That humiliation came a week after the All Blacks inflicted the heaviest defeat (41-20) England have suffered at their base.The world champions have now lost 12 out of 20 Tests they have played since Robinson succeeded Sir Clive Woodward.Despite that dismal record, the RFU confirmed that Robinson would remain in charge for the remaining two Tests of the autumn series, both against the Springboks.But a statement made it clear that the governing body’s patience was close to being exhausted with less than a year left until England defend their World Cup title in France.Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew said there had been an “open and frank two-hour meeting where we all exchanged our views on England’s performance against Argentina and recent results.”He added: “The Investec Challenge games are a four-Test series and Andy remains in charge for that and we will conduct further reviews in the week following the first and second Tests against South Africa to assess England’s performances and results.Nampa-AFPThe Pumas’ first win at the home of English rugby was also England’s seventh straight Test defeat, equalling their worst ever record.That humiliation came a week after the All Blacks inflicted the heaviest defeat (41-20) England have suffered at their base.The world champions have now lost 12 out of 20 Tests they have played since Robinson succeeded Sir Clive Woodward.Despite that dismal record, the RFU confirmed that Robinson would remain in charge for the remaining two Tests of the autumn series, both against the Springboks.But a statement made it clear that the governing body’s patience was close to being exhausted with less than a year left until England defend their World Cup title in France.Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew said there had been an “open and frank two-hour meeting where we all exchanged our views on England’s performance against Argentina and recent results.”He added: “The Investec Challenge games are a four-Test series and Andy remains in charge for that and we will conduct further reviews in the week following the first and second Tests against South Africa to assess England’s performances and results.Nampa-AFP