George Chute's from the hip

George Chuter has hit out at England coach Andy Robinson's selection policy.

Leicester hooker George Chuter has hit out at England coach Andy Robinson over his selection policy ahead of the autumn internationals.

Chuter has been overlooked in favour of Steve Thompson, Lee Mears and Andy Titterell, as the England boss attempts to develop a more mobile forward pack.

And the Tigers man insists that he has been penalised by Robinson for ensuring that his set-piece work is faultless.

"I won't lie. It is a bit frustrating because I don't really know where I stand in the pecking order and I'm not too sure Andy Robinson knows what type of hooker I am," blasted Chuter.

"Andy seems to have pigeon-holed me as a set-piece hooker and I'm competing with Steve Thompson for a place, leaving Lee Mears and Andy Titterrell as the impact, dynamic, ball-carrying players.

"So yes, I'm a bit hung up, mainly because I think I'm a hooker that does my set-piece work first and foremost, but yet I also contribute enough in the loose to be considered as a so-called impact player."

Chuter admits that his confusion is heightened by Robinson's description of Thompson as a set-piece hooker, after the Northampton man's erratic form at the line-out over the past two seasons.

Thompson's superb mobility is recognised by many as his chief asset in the rugby world, yet it appears that the England supremo sees his number one hooker differently.

"I think it's strange labelling Thommo as a set-piece hooker because I believe his strengths lie more as a ball-carrier, continued Chuter.

"That's what Andy Robinson said to Pat Howard - so that's why I'm confused."

With three players ahead of him in the pecking order, Chuter's hopes of appearing in the Six-Nations seem to be on the wane, despite the fact that he impressed during the summer Churchill Cup tour.