Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea threw his weight behind England captain Chris Robshaw on Saturday following what he labelled "insulting" speculation regarding the flanker's Test future.
Chris Robshaw captain of England warms up during the England captain's run in Dunedin on June 13, 2014
The decision to strip Robshaw of the Quins captaincy, so he can concentrate on his international duties head of next year's World Cup in England was slammed earlier in the week by Clive Woodward.
England's coach when they won the World Cup for the only time in their history, in 2003, Woodward, in his Daily Mail column, warned the move could leave Robshaw a "lesser player as well as a diminished leader".
"Do that and his position will quickly come under threat because England do not lack for back-row options," Woodward added.
Robshaw's position in the England set-up had been the subject of fresh debate after he was outplayed by Saracens' Will Fraser in last weekend's 39-0 defeat.
But the 28-year-old responded with a fine display, including a try, as Harlequins beat London rivals Wasps 26-23 in the English Premiership on Saturday.
- 'Ridiculous criticism' -
Afterwards an angry O'Shea turned on Robshaw's detractors by saying: "The criticism was absolutely ridiculous and I spoke to Chris about it.
"If there's an agenda against a player who is as outstanding as he is, it's sad. Absolutely sad.
"He's been outstanding for England and outstanding for Quins. He is an absolutely magnificent rugby player and any team would be lesser without him.
"I find some of the stuff that's out there insulting," the former Ireland fullback added. "Last week we were beaten 39-0, but Robshaw was outstanding."
Elsewhere Bath thrashed Leicester by the scarcely credible scoreline of 45-0.
Even allowing for the fact the Tigers were forced into a reshuffle of the back line following injuries to England internationals Manu Tuilagi (groin) and Anthony Allen (knee) it was a stunning result and only the second time the Tigers had failed to score in Premiership history.
Table-toppers Bath, the early season pacesetters with a perfect played three, won three record, ran in five tries while George Ford, looking to replace Owen Farrell as England's first-choice outside half, kicked 20 points.
To make matters worse for visitors Leicester, replacement scrum-half David Mele was sent off late on at the Recreation Ground.
This latest clash between two of England's traditionally strongest clubs was as lopsided as the scoreline suggested, with Ford -- son of Bath coach Mike Ford -- kicking four conversions, three penalties and a drop-goal while Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Olly Woodburn and former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer all scored tries.
"We couldn't cope with the set-piece, and if you get no set-piece parity you are always going to struggle," said Leicester boss Richard Cockerill.
"Credit to Bath. It was pretty average from us, at best, and we got exactly what we deserved.
"If you have got the quality we've got missing, some day it is going to hurt you, and today it hurt us. That's not an excuse, we should play better and I am bitterly disappointed," the former England hooker added.
A delighted Mike Ford said: "Today, we were pretty good in all aspects, relentless really. To 'nil' Leicester is absolutely fantastic.
Meanwhile Saracens, last season's beaten Premiership finalists, preserved their unbeaten start to the season although it needed a last-gasp try from England powerhouse Billy Vunipola to see off London Irish 36-32.
Elsewhere, newly-promoted London Welsh's dismal start to the season continued with 46-8 loss away to Sale.
Justin Burnell's side have now conceded 151 points in just three Premiership matches.