2006 Head coach sacked

After Rob Andrew's appointment as the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director in August, England lose autumn Tests to New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa. Andy Robinson is held responsible.

2007 Players revolt

Robinson's replacement, Brian Ashton, and assistants including Mike Ford and John Wells lose control of their squad at the World Cup in France. Nonetheless, England lose the final to South Africa.

Spring 2008 Head coach sacked

England are second in the Six Nations, finishing with an encouraging victory over Ireland. Andrew presides over the replacement of Ashton with Martin Johnson, the World Cup-winning captain who becomes team manager.

Summer 2008 Tour hit by scandal

Andrew fills in as team manager in New Zealand. Both Tests are lost heavily and players are caught up in a tabloid sex scandal.

Autumn 2008 England defeated

Johnson takes charge – England again lose three of their four autumn Tests.

Summer 2011 Twickenham turmoil

A new RFU chief executive, John Steele, splits Andrew's job into three. Andrew is invited to apply for the role of operations director, which will not cover the national team. However, an imbroglio over the mooted role of performance director and a return for the World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward leads to the sacking of Steele and chaos at board level. Andrew becomes professional rugby director, covering the national team.

Autumn 2011 World Cup failure

England are beaten by France in the quarter-finals in New Zealand, amid tabloid scandals over players' behaviour and further acrimony at RFU board level, including damaging leaks of evidence from World Cup reviews. Johnson resigns, to be followed by his attack coach, Brian Smith. Asked if he will go too, Andrew says: "I absolutely accept responsibility for what is going on here. Does it mean I am going to resign? No, I'm not."