Press blasts England coach Robinson

LONDON – British newspapers made miserable reading for England coach Andy Robinson on Sunday, with many agreed his job is under threat or even untenable after the world champions’ 25-18 defeat at home to Argentina.

‘World Chumps’, lamented The Sunday Times, reflecting on the “humiliating” defeat to the Pumas and Robinson’s insistence that he will still be in charge for the two forthcoming fixtures against South Africa. But with the former Bath and England flanker having presided over seven straight defeats – England’s worst run since 1971-72 – the newspaper said he may not survive beyond that.”He may well escape until the end of the autumn series but it seems impossible for him to stay after that,” it suggested, raising the possibility that England may not reach the World Cup knockout stages in France next year.”England still have five matches in the RBS Six Nations and three World Cup warm-up games in which a new head coach can find his feet.”The Sunday Telegraph followed a similar tack, headlining the front page of its sports section ‘England in crisis’, with a pensive-looking Robinson looking at his watch – presumably praying for the final whistle.Inside, former England lock-turned-journalist Paul Ackford pulled no punches.”This was simply unacceptable,” he said.”It’s difficult to know where to begin the catalogue of shame.”Nampa-AFPBut with the former Bath and England flanker having presided over seven straight defeats – England’s worst run since 1971-72 – the newspaper said he may not survive beyond that.”He may well escape until the end of the autumn series but it seems impossible for him to stay after that,” it suggested, raising the possibility that England may not reach the World Cup knockout stages in France next year.”England still have five matches in the RBS Six Nations and three World Cup warm-up games in which a new head coach can find his feet.”The Sunday Telegraph followed a similar tack, headlining the front page of its sports section ‘England in crisis’, with a pensive-looking Robinson looking at his watch – presumably praying for the final whistle.Inside, former England lock-turned-journalist Paul Ackford pulled no punches.”This was simply unacceptable,” he said.”It’s difficult to know where to begin the catalogue of shame.”Nampa-AFP