RUGBY Football Union chief executive Francis Baron has accepted the structure of the sport in England needs updating.

National coach Andy Robinson finally resigned yesterday after a run of dismal results, but he signed off by criticising the set-up of the domestic game.

"The system has been creaking for some time. I think everybody in the professional game knows that," Baron accepted.

"The basic issue we've got is that the structure of the professional game in England was great for the early days of professionalism but it hasn't moved on.

"The structure we've got now, we're trying to force the proverbial quart into the pint pot.

"In the RFU, we've had a project group looking to re-structure the top end of the game.

"They're well advanced in their work and they'll be publishing ideas about how we can move forward.

"We've got some highly constructive discussions going on with senior club owners on this so there are solutions in sight."

Baron, above, denied meddling in the selection process regarding England coaches, and claimed Robinson made the decision himself to step down despite reports he was forced into it by the RFU.

"There are just some misconceptions flying around. Club England are the body which is responsible for identifying England coaches," he said.

"Andy is a straight-talking guy and I think he came to that conclusion himself after the last disappointing result.

"At the end of the day, the England head coach, as Andy will say, has to hold his hands up if the results don't go his way.

"The plaudits you get when England do well, they rightly fall on the coach. Equally, when they don't go well, he has to accept responsibility."