Road to ruin

Andy Robinson was a loyal lieutenant to England supremo Sir Clive Woodward but was he "general" material himself?

With a smooth succession at HQ wanted, a delighted Robinson was the obvious choice to follow Woodward in October 2004

For England and Robinson to prosper, much depended on a fit Jonny Wilkinson...but a fully-fit Wilkinson was to become an elusive sight

With many stars retiring, Robinson had to work with those who remained, and his row with Matt Dawson was a mistake

Robinson tried to stamp his own mark on the team but this left the likes of Henry Paul on the scrap heap

His judgement was questioned again when a callow Mathew Tait was thrown in (and then discarded) against Wales

Whispers about his man-management became deafening when he benched captain Martin Corry in a defeat to Scotland

A second dismal Six Nations saw Robinson lose allies like Joe Lydon but many were shocked he did not fall on his sword too

And worse followed as an under-strength England, captained by Pat Sanderson, endured a chastening tour Down Under

With new boss Rob Andrew watching, Robinson needed a golden autumn...what he got is clear to see

A heavy defeat by New Zealand was one thing, a humiliating home loss to Argentina was something very different

A lucky win over an experimental South African side prevented a record-breaking defeat for the world champions

But the revival was more of a dead-cat bounce as England were well beaten by the Boks a week later

And after an eighth defeat in nine games, Robinson's time as England coach was over and out

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