Former England kicking coach backs Robshaw’s controversial penalty decision

The pressure is mounting on the English rugby team ahead of their must-win game against Australia.

Most of the focus in the build-up has been on Chris Robshaw's decision to turn down a kickable penalty in the dying minutes against Wales, instead trying to drive the ball over the line from a lineout. Robshaw has been widely criticised and his leadership qualities have come under question, but Jonny Wilkinson's kicking mentor David Alred has come out in support of Robshaw. Alred, speaking exclusively to 888sport.com ahead of England’s crunch match this weekend, claims Robshaw should be applauded for his bravery, saying: "In the heat of battle Chris played his gut feeling. Had it worked and they’d won the game he would have been a hero. "Sadly in terms of execution it didn’t but it’s so difficult for people to emphasise with what it’s like on the pitch: heartrate buzzing, you’re looking at the scoreboard, and you’ve got an opportunity like that. "He would have thought of the steals from the last line-outs and a lot of people would have done the same thing in his shoes and played the eighty minutes he played." Alred also believes that in George Ford and Owen Farrell, England have the ability to change their style depending on their opponents: "One plays very pivotal the other very much up and down," He said. "I suspect Stuart Lancaster sees them as two blends of ten. He’s not substituting like for like so he’s got the opportunity to change the game by just changing the personnel. That’s a heck of an advantage to have." Read the full and frank interview – including Alred's thoughts on George Ford, the future of Stuart Lancaster and Chris Robshaw, here.