Andy Robinson quit as England rugby union coach, less then 10 months before the team begins its defence of the World Cup.

The Rugby Football Union announced that Robinson was "standing down" and that it would begin looking for a replacement head coach.

Saturday's 25-14 loss to South Africa at Twickenham meant England had lost eight times in nine matches.

It was also a 13th loss in 22 matches under Robinson, who took over after World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward quit in 2004.

Robinson said he was forced to stand down due to a lack of support at RFU level.

"I was confident that I would coach the England team through to a successful World Cup in 2007, not withstanding the setbacks that we have had through the autumn," Robinson said in a statement released by the RFU.

"It is my understanding that I had, and still have, the support of the England players and the England management team.

"However, in the last 48 hours, I have been advised by senior colleagues that those who have governance over me, the RFU Management Board, do not, and will not, continue to support me as England head coach."

RFU elite director of rugby Rob Andrew made the announcement.

"On behalf of the Rugby Football Union, I am announcing that, further to recent England results and performances, Andy Robinson is standing down from the position of head coach with immediate effect," he said.

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