Give Robinson a break: Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward has urged English rugby chiefs to "back off" head coach Andy Robinson and allow the furore over refereeing decisions during the defeat by Ireland to die down.

Robinson criticised South African referee Jonathan Kaplan after England's 19-13 defeat and is now the subject of an official Rugby Football Union investigation by their disciplinary officer, with possible charges of bringing the game into disrepute on the cards.

Robinson took over from Woodward in the summer when he decided to quit as head coach of England to take up a similar role with the British and Irish Lions, who tour New Zealand this summer.

Woodward will tomorrow take charge of the Northern Hemisphere team against the Southern Hemisphere in a tsunami aid game at Twickenham and use the build-up to that clash to call for the pressure to be turned down on Robinson.

Woodward said: "I believe the comments were blown out of all proportion. There's been a big over-reaction to what Andy said and I'm sure the RFU will back off. You've got to learn how to win and lose and I am sure that Andy will learn from this. It's a highly-charged atmosphere immediately after games and I wish I could have handled some things differently during my time as head coach.

"I don't think anything is going to happen and I do hope that the RFU just back off the whole thing."

Woodward's Northern team contain players he is considering as surprise choices for the Lions tour as they are not playing in the Six Nations. These include captain Lawrence Dallaglio, Leicester centre Ollie Smith, Worcester captain Pat Sanderson and club-mate Chris Horsman, the highly-rated prop who is about to qualify for Wales.

Woodward is enjoying his chance to coach a team again. He said: "This is a great dress rehearsal for what is going to be coming in the summer and I do miss being involved."

Both teams will be taking part in training sessions at Twickenham today, which is open to the public.