Healey: Robbo's time is up

Austin Healey believes it is time to replace the England head coach.

England international Austin Healey insists radical changes are needed in the England setup, starting with the head coach.

Healey watched on as England produced a disastrous display against France in Paris, handing their opponents all three tries whilst only enjoying brief flirtations with the French 22.

The former British and Irish Lion is desperate to see a new approach from the England team, and he insists that will only come at Andy Robinson's expense.

"If we're going to have a chance of retaining the World Cup, something has to be done now," wrote Healey in his column for the Daily Mirror.

"England's Six Nations record under Andy Robinson is won seven, lost seven. That speaks for itself really.

"Robbo has got to hold his hand up and say, `I've given it my best shot but unfortunately I'm not good enough'. I think it's time that he did that."

It appears that similar views are bouncing off the walls of HQ too, after Martyn Thomas revealed to the Guardian that changes could be in the offing.

"The performance in Paris was unacceptable," admitted the chairman of the RFU's management board.

"We will do what is necessary to enhance our chances of doing well in the World Cup. If that means making changes, so be it, but we are not going into panic mode."

Vultures have long been circling the England boss over his apparent inability to produce an expansive game, particularly after last week's toothless display against Scotland.

Defeat in France was unthinkable as Robinson chased the Six Nations crown, but fears turned to embarrassment as the England troops trudged off with the scoreboard reading France 31-6 England.

Now Healey believes the England boss has lost the confidence of his players, revealing: "I have spoken to a number of them and the consensus is that they're not sure what's going on. They think they get better coaching at their clubs and that is a big worry.

"There are some fine coaches in English rugby but unfortunately they are not coaching the England rugby team. It is time that changed.

"Even before Paris I had concerns about the direction in which the England team was being taken - the absence of flair, the inability to create space, the over-reliance on forward muscle.

"I thought France would win but that performance was as bad as I can ever remember seeing from an England team."

England welcome Ireland to Twickenham in their last Six Nations match, and only a minor-miracle can rescue their title aspirations.

Defeat for France in Wales would mean England could still triumph - but only if they win by a 30-point margin against the Irish.

Robinson is expected to name his team on Tuesday.