Less than 10 months before England starts defence of the Rugby World Cup, it is on the verge of changing its head coach.
After a worst ever record of eight losses in nine games, the only issue appears to be whether Andy Robinson resigns or is fired, with strong speculation a decision could be made Monday.
World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson is the bookmakers' favourite to take the job even though he has no coaching experience. Other leading candidates are England-born Nick Mallett, the former South Africa coach who had standout success with French club Stade Francais, and Warren Gatland, a New Zealander, who sparked Ireland's revival five years ago.
The decision on Robinson's future is likely to be made by Rob Andrew, a former England fly half who is now the Rugby Football Union's ``elite director of rugby.'' With Robinson due to go to Paris on Tuesday for a three-day look at facilities and arrangements for next year's World Cup, a decision is expected Monday.
Saturday's 25-14 loss to South Africa at Twickenham after leading 14-3 was England's 13th defeat in 22 games under Robinson and England has slumped dramatically since winning the World Cup under Clive Woodward three years ago.
Robinson was Woodward's assistant back then as well as being a highly respected forwards coach. But the critics say Robinson was fortunate to work with a standout group of forwards, such as Johnson and a back row of Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill and Neil Back, on whom England's World Cup triumph was built.
The coach has been criticized for his selection decisions as well as England's performances on the field, which included a run of seven defeats in a row. A 23-21 victory over South Africa last week ended that losing streak and gave Robinson some hope that he might stay on at least until the Six Nations championship next February and March.
But Saturday's result and the way England allowed the Springboks to turn the game around appears to spell the end of his reign.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, former England hooker Brian Moore, who is now a respected rugby analyst, said he wants Johnson to take over.
``I see no reason why Martin Johnson could not successfully fulfil the manager's role,'' Moore wrote Monday. ``Enormous credibility and recent knowledge of the players available for England would be allied to a deceptively sharp brain and every effort should be made to get him to at least consider the offer.''
Moore said that Robinson should have been fired after England's first ever Twickenham loss to Argentina two weeks ago.
``I strongly suspect that the decision that Robinson must go was really made after the Argentina game and, if so, it should have been executed at that time because all else was disingenuous,'' he said.
``It will be interesting to see who announces the decision and who takes responsibility for it. Rob Andrew must be that person as he must be seen to be in control of this area and to accept responsibility for his choices. He must also lead the search for a replacement.''
