Robinson had to go - Barnes

Andy Robinson "had to go" as England head coach, according to former international Stuart Barnes.

The 42-year-old stepped aside after a disastrous run of eight defeats in nine Tests, having won only nine of his 22 internationals at the helm.

"I thought it would happen 24 hours earlier," Barnes said. "To some extent there will relief in English rugby. It had become very messy and painful. Their record as world champions is appalling - he had to go."

He added: "Andy Robinson's statement (after last Saturday's defeat to South Africa) saying 'I can still do the job' starts to look slightly delusional now.

"Yes there have been problems between club and country but England did not perform to their maximum level, whatever that was, this autumn.

"They have not done it since he took charge of England.

"From an English perspective fans will be delighted there has been a break from a failed regime. And that is what it is."

And Barnes thinks it should come as no surprise that Sir Clive Woodward's trusted number two was not able to step into his shoes.

"Being a manager requires a broad vision," he told Sky Sports. "Being a coach requires a detailed vision of the game, the nitty-gritty, he was always very good at that.

"Robinson was never a number one because they are different skills. A lot of people involved with England made a bad decision when they took him on."