By Phil Harlow

The boos echoing around Twickenham after England's defeat by South Africa may well have sounded the death knell for Andy Robinson's tenure as England coach.

England's eighth defeat in nine Tests has seen them fall to seventh in the world rankings and Robinson's pained demeanour has come to personify the problems afflicting the English game.

But will his widely-expected departure lead to an upturn in England's fortunes? Or is he merely one part of a failing system?

BBC Sport spoke to three greats of the game in Jonathan Davies, Jeremy Guscott and Austin Healey to find out their views on some of the most pressing problems in English rugby - and what can be done to solve them.

PROBLEM:

Robinson's team was booed off the pitch for the second time

Robinson's record of nine wins from 22 Tests is simply not good enough for defending world champions, although he may not have been under quite such intense pressure if performances had not been so turgid as well.

Muddled selection policies and confusing substitutions have not helped Robinson's hold on his position.

"In the time Robinson's been coach of England, success has been non-existent," said Guscott.

"Two fourth places in the Six Nations, poor results on tour and these autumn internationals - and we've not seen any improvement in nearly three seasons."

SOLUTION:

In short, Robinson's position has become untenable.

"England's performances since he's been in the job don't justify him keeping it," said Guscott.

Amongst those put forward as potential replacements, including Nick Mallett, Warren Gatland and Dean Richards, but revered World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is reported to be the RFU's first choice despite his lack of experience.

But the trio do not think Johnson will take up the challenge.

"It's a poisoned chalice. If Robinson goes, the players stay, so I'd be very surprised if Johnson took over now," said Davies.

Healey added: "Johnson is probably the only guy who could do the role, but he'd be crazy to take it.

"There would be people above him who would see that he couldn't do what he wants. For him to take it he'd have to say 'I'll take the job, but only on my terms'."

PROBLEM:

England's ponderous back play has been blamed on the failure of players to perform the fundamentals of the game under pressure and part of a wider problem in the English game.

Accurate passing, straight running lines, finding touch: all have been missing at crucial times during England's horrible run of form.

"They've created chances but they just haven't finished them," said Davies.

"Basic skills have been very poor. Robinson has complained about a lack of preparation time, but surely internationals should be able to finish off three-on-one overlaps."

SOLUTION:

Anthony Allen is one product of the RFU's academy system

The RFU has acknowledged the problem by its heavy investment in a regional and national academy system - but Healey believes that approach is misguided.

"We need to abolish the academy systems. We don't need them - players find their natural level," he said.

"Keeping young guys with their peers training in the gym turns them into 'gym monkeys'. It doesn't allow the youngsters to progress and see what they can learn from other people. It really is killing our sport."

PROBLEM:

The number of overseas players in the Premiership seems to grow by the year, with most clubs preferring to parachute in proven players from abroad rather than risking young English talent.

The problem is especially acute in key decision-making positions, such as fly-half.

"The number of Premiership fly-halves who aren't English is unbelievable," said Davies.

"There are only a handful who are even qualified to play for England, let alone good enough."

SOLUTION:

England must come up with some system by which clubs are encouraged to give a chance to their home-grown talent.

The issue is complicated by the requirement to fit in with European employment laws, but the lack of regular first-team rugby for young English talent is a major concern.

"It's difficult, but England need more strength in depth in key positions," said Guscott.

"If players aren't getting experience for their clubs, how can they be expected to perform for England?"

PROBLEM:

The English game's governing body appointed Robinson, decided to keep him in the name of "continuity" after their post-Six Nations review and has now appointed director of elite rugby Rob Andrew above him.

Andrew's appointment has muddied the waters for Robinson

Meanwhile, the club v country row - while not purely the RFU's responsibility - has dragged interminably on.

"The whole process seems to be muddled, and Robinson seems to have been continually undermined," said Davies.

"When they got rid of the coaches after the Six Nations, they all should have gone."

Healey added: "There's lots of jobs at the RFU that are people doing things that are slowing the game down rather than progressing it."

And Guscott said: "I think everybody lost the plot after the last World Cup. The RFU got caught up in it thinking everything's great and everybody took their eye off the ball."

SOLUTION:

In the short-term, the RFU must resolve the coaching situation if Robinson leaves.

"They made a complete hash of the last process, so now they shouldn't rush things now," said Davies.

"They can go with Rob Andrew, Brian Ashton and John Wells and see the World Cup out until they can get the right man."

In the longer term, Healey says the RFU needs to get back to concentrating on what it is good at.

"There's some great people who work there - but people need to concentrate on their own things and let the people who know about rugby, deal with rugby," he said.