Saracens confused by Robbo

Saracens have accused Andy Robinson of confusing the Andy Farrell issue.

England coach Andy Robinson has been accused of making an "apparent turnaround" over which position to play Andy Farrell in.

Saracens and their director of rugby Alan Gaffney have come under fire for selecting the former Great Britain rugby league captain as a blindside flanker, despite England and Robinson identifying Farrell as an ideal inside centre.

Now, Saracens have issued a statement defending their stance, and turned the heat back onto Robinson by claiming it was the England coach who had first suggested that Farrell should play in the back row.

The statement read: "The club is confused as to the apparent turnaround in position of England head coach Andy Robinson who, after being in regular contact with Saracens' coaching staff, appears to have had a change of mind about the position best suited to Farrell.

"When Farrell's switch of codes was announced in March last year Andy Robinson was quoted as saying: 'I have got this picture of him attacking off the back of line-outs, or playing at No 8 in a scrum that is going forward and running off that scrum. Criticism is going to be thrown at me, at Saracens and Andy Farrell, but we are all big enough to take that. The proof will be how he performs'."

The Rugby Football Union had hoped the furore surrounding Farrell would go away, however Robinson's decision to include the 31-year-old in his elite player squad has just fanned the flames.

However, for Sarries, the most important thing is the continued development of Farrell as a player, rather than rushing him ahead of schedule for England's benefit.

Sarries chief executive Mark Sinderberry said: "The current process for him to go through is to learn the game over the next few months, be successful with Saracens, get into England team and then be a part of the World Cup if he deserves a place.

"Although much has been said in the past few days, when we announced the signing of Andy, (former Saracens coach) Steve Diamond and Andy Robinson both agreed it would take several months for him to adapt to the game. That hasn't changed

"Andy did lose a year through injury, but he still needs that time. To make a judgement after just one-and-a-half games reeks of bad planning and is reactionary.

"What is more important - taking the long-term view to get him ready to be a part of the World Cup, or taking the short-term route?

"We still have the whole season in front of us, and there is more than enough time for him to be involved in the 2007 World Cup."