The England head coach Andy Robinson has said that he will place an emphasis on attack during next month's three internationals at Twickenham, because he is concerned that defences are dominating the Zurich Premiership.

When England won the World Cup last year they were accused by some observers of relying on a strong pack and Jonny Wilkinson's boot. Such criticism intensified on last summer's tour to New Zealand and Australia, when they struggled with the ball in hand.

"We have lost some of our creativity," said Robinson in an interview with England Rugby magazine. "It is not just the case with England but in the Premiership, where defences are dominating. As a group of coaches we have to assess how to break them down.

"The need to get results at club level has a lot to do with it; so has the fitness of players because gaps no longer appear at the end of games. It is a question of finding space on the pitch and we have to challenge the players to rise to the task in hand. You have to be able to attack from your own half, to recognise where a defence is weak and to have everyone on board in terms of attack. Players have to inspire each other to get that creativity back."

The Saracens and England wing Dan Scarbrough will be out of action for four months after aggravating a shoulder injury in training. He requires reconstructive surgery, but Northampton's England hooker Steve Thompson is in line to play against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday, having recovered from rib cartilage damage.

Glasgow have cited the Northampton flanker Darren Fox for an alleged head-butt on his opposite number Cammy Mather in the Heineken Cup match at Hughenden last Sunday. Fox was sent to the sin-bin for a similar offence against the wing Sean Lamont earlier in the game.

Chris Paterson, Allister Hogg and Craig Joiner, the Edinburgh trio cited by Perpignan after last Friday's Heineken Cup game in France, were yesterday cleared by European Rugby Cup Ltd.