Robinson ready to fight on

Andy Robinson has vowed to fight tooth and nail for his job as England head coach - but the battle could be over within days.

Robinson's 22-Test reign is, it would appear, nearing its conclusion following an unacceptable autumn Test series. The 42-year-old is due to head off for three days of World Cup planning business in Paris this week, yet there is little chance he will be around for England's tournament opener against the United States on September 8 next year.

Robinson, who will compile a detailed report of the autumn games, said: "I am not walking away, I am going to be there standing my ground. I will be honest, up front and write what I think is important and how we need to improve, and then it will be down to the (RFU) management board to take that into account and make what decisions they need to make."

He added: "I will be talking to Rob (Andrew) over the next 24 hours about the whole process, but I need time to write this and present it.

"I will discuss openly with everyone involved in the RFU, and that has never changed in the six years I have been involved with England.

"I can see where we are going, I can see the improvements that we have made. This is a game of inches, and we are not far away."