Clock ticks on Robinson England exit
Andy Robinson's failed reign as England head coach appears to have just hours remaining.
Robinson was meeting senior Rugby Football Union figures today after being in charge for 22 Test matches since replacing Clive Woodward two years ago.
England won just nine of those games, including only one away from Twickenham, and the catalogue of despair includes a record-equalling seven successive defeats.
The only unanswered question is whether Robinson will resign or be sacked.
He is due to attend three days of World Cup planning meetings starting in Paris tomorrow, accompanied by England team manager Vivienne Brown.
His presence looks increasingly unlikely, although Robinson insisted in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's 25-14 defeat against South Africa he wanted time to compile a full report of the autumn series and did not intend "walking away".
The next scheduled RFU management board meeting on December 7 had been pencilled in as D-day, but an announcement on Robinson's future could even be made today.
England have only 10 Tests remaining before beginning their World Cup defence against the United States in Lens on September 8.
This season's RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign starts on February 3 - Scotland are the Twickenham visitors - so his replacement or replacements must be identified quickly.
The existing coaching team of Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford - it was appointed only six months ago - would remain, but RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew could take a more hands-on role in playing matters.
The RFU though, might turn to one of two favoured overseas candidates in Warren Gatland or Nick Mallett, while England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson and Bristol head coach Richard Hill have also been touted as possible successors to 42-year-old Robinson.
The RFU have so far made no official comment about Robinson's position today.
