LONDON - Former England rugby captain Martin Johnson has joined the debate over coach Andy Robinson's future by suggesting his fate may already be sealed.
The world champions, who meet South Africa at Twickenham in the first of two tests tomorrow, have lost their last seven matches.
"He
will probably go if they lose the next two games," Johnson told the Sky Sports Rugby Club programme. "He may go if they win the next two. He's at the point where you have to do something."
Johnson, who retired from international rugby after leading England to victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, also questioned the appointment of Robinson as Clive Woodward's successor.
"I like Andy," he said. "He's a very passionate rugby guy. But when Clive went, should we have cleaned up the house and got some fresh guys in?"
Former New Zealand number eight Zinzan Brooke said he thought England's problems would only get worse.
"I have to say I really can't see them beating South Africa," he told BBC online.
"England have got all sorts of problems. The players need leadership and direction and it's quite obvious with the way they are playing that they are not getting it."
Defeat by an under-strength Springbok side on Saturday would make the current XV the first in the 135-year history of English rugby to lose eight tests in a row.
Halfback Charlie Hodgson will be under special pressure this weekend following his substitution after only 53 minutes in the 25-18 loss to Argentina last weekend.
He will be up against Butch James, a hard-tackling abrasive South African who will be doing his best to disrupt the England line.
"From my point of view I don't see confidence as being an issue," Hodgson told reporters this week. "I'm a lot stronger mentally than I used to be.
"I had a chat with the coaches and it is about getting a better understanding about what we are all after. We all want the same thing."
- REUTERS
