Captain Martin Corry gave his emphatic backing to coach Andy Robinson ahead of a new era for English rugby. Robinson will put his 30-man training squad through their paces at Loughborough this week as England gear up for three Tests this autumn.
And Leicester forward Corry said: "Robbo is a great man for the job because he listens to the players.
"He is not afraid to move forward. He is not carrying any hangovers from the Clive Woodward era."
England have won only seven of their last 16 Tests since winning the World Cup under Woodward in 2003.
And Robinson, who took over last year, has guided the national side to just four wins in eight matches.
The former England flanker was under pressure to freshen up his playing and coaching staff ahead of the new campaign, with the 2007 World Cup edging ever nearer.
He named five uncapped players in his squad for the autumn series and dropped a number of established stars - though he stood by assistants Phil Larder, Dave Alred and Joe Lydon.
But Lions star Corry welcomes the approach Robinson brings to management.
"You can sit and have a chat with him and sometimes you can go toe to toe with him and he welcomes that," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.
"He wants an environment where players feel they can go to him and raise concerns but it does go both ways.
"He is trying to freshen up the whole England structure which makes it a very exciting time."
England play Australia on 12 November, New Zealand on 19 November and Samoa on 26 November.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
You can go toe to toe with him