Robinson Crew - So?
See what I did there?
Delighted, though hardly surprised, to read today's BBC reports, claiming that England coach Andy Robinson will 'resign' today. From the expected terms of his dismissal, it seems clear that the hapless coach has been given the long-awaited ultimatum.
The correct result, obviously - Robinson's recent post-match interviews and frankly bizarre squad selections have increasingly resembled those of King Canute. However, quite why it took the stuffed suits at HQ so long to reach this conclusion is beyond me. Any armchair rugby fan would have seen the warning signs flashing ever since 'Taitgate'.
Of similar concern is the BBC's suggestion that Martin Johnson is in pole position to assume Robinson's vacant mantle. Now don't get me wrong here - I have utmost respect for Johnson's achievements on the field, and we all know how totemic his presence proved in the run-up to England's World Cup victory. He would almost certainly make my all-time World XV team, in fact, alongside Colin Meads in the engine room.
However, let's get real - Johnson hasn't even coached a pub sevens team since his playing career ended, let alone a national squad. Whilst his presence in the dressing room is likely to galvanise England's tattered yeomen, it will be essential that he is supported by a qualified coaching team. I can't realistically see any of the Premiership's usual suspects being allowed to break their club contracts mid-season, which rules out the likes of Richard Hill or Deans Ryan and Richards. Nigel Melville is also out of the question, of course, and it will be interesting to watch how the USA team improves under his stewardship. No, Brian Ashton must therefore be seen as the only realistic choice. With Ashton filling Clive's previous role, and Johnson in Andy Robinson's original place as squad Sergeant Major, that could work quite well.
Unlike the many doom-mongers out there, I still think England are capable of mounting at least a basically respectable defence of their Webb-Ellis Trophy. We may not have the stellar squad of 2003, at least seven of whom could have walked into any other national set-up, but there is still cause for a little hope. Providing, that is, the RFU don't let desperation cloud their already dubious judgement, and we end up with a genuinely credible coaching team.
Delighted, though hardly surprised, to read today's BBC reports, claiming that England coach Andy Robinson will 'resign' today. From the expected terms of his dismissal, it seems clear that the hapless coach has been given the long-awaited ultimatum.
The correct result, obviously - Robinson's recent post-match interviews and frankly bizarre squad selections have increasingly resembled those of King Canute. However, quite why it took the stuffed suits at HQ so long to reach this conclusion is beyond me. Any armchair rugby fan would have seen the warning signs flashing ever since 'Taitgate'.
Of similar concern is the BBC's suggestion that Martin Johnson is in pole position to assume Robinson's vacant mantle. Now don't get me wrong here - I have utmost respect for Johnson's achievements on the field, and we all know how totemic his presence proved in the run-up to England's World Cup victory. He would almost certainly make my all-time World XV team, in fact, alongside Colin Meads in the engine room.
However, let's get real - Johnson hasn't even coached a pub sevens team since his playing career ended, let alone a national squad. Whilst his presence in the dressing room is likely to galvanise England's tattered yeomen, it will be essential that he is supported by a qualified coaching team. I can't realistically see any of the Premiership's usual suspects being allowed to break their club contracts mid-season, which rules out the likes of Richard Hill or Deans Ryan and Richards. Nigel Melville is also out of the question, of course, and it will be interesting to watch how the USA team improves under his stewardship. No, Brian Ashton must therefore be seen as the only realistic choice. With Ashton filling Clive's previous role, and Johnson in Andy Robinson's original place as squad Sergeant Major, that could work quite well.
Unlike the many doom-mongers out there, I still think England are capable of mounting at least a basically respectable defence of their Webb-Ellis Trophy. We may not have the stellar squad of 2003, at least seven of whom could have walked into any other national set-up, but there is still cause for a little hope. Providing, that is, the RFU don't let desperation cloud their already dubious judgement, and we end up with a genuinely credible coaching team.
posted by Tom Jennings at 4:35 AM
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