Rugby World Cup 2015: Apologies, accusations and a catastrophic financial loss…
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Reuters The England head coach Stuart Lancaster will not make a personal decision on his future for at least a fortnight following their early World Cup exit.
He later added: “We feel we have let the country down today and over the course of this tournament – they have given us so much support”.
Australia’s victory meant Wales qualified for the last eight as well and Gatland, who watched the Wallabies win on Saturday, said: “I turned around and said to my wife that what happens in the next 20 minutes changes people’s lives, whether it is ours or people involved with England”.
Lancaster’s side managed a single win in the group stage against Fiji, but were subdued by a gallant Welsh team 25-28.
Press Association Sport understands there was disquiet over Sam Burgess’ rapid elevation into the World Cup squad and matchday 23, but Lancaster insists he has never been aware of any ill-feeling.
The hooker has been named as a replacement for the game, which is a dead rubber after England disappointingly failed to progress from the group stages after losing to Australia.
Robshaw is one of five members of a disappointingly fragile pack to hold their places for this weekend’s valedictory fixture: the Saracens prop Mako Vunipola, the Wasps flanker James Haskell and the Harlequins No 8 Nick Easter are promoted. Saying that, I would have preferred George Ford to have started at fly-half because he is more of an attacking player.
“The calibre of players we have at such a young age is great”, the hooker said. At the same time we can’t just go out there and start throwing the ball around and forget what the basis of our game is and that is set-piece and defence.
Burgess, Lancaster’s most argued over squad selection whose inclusion reportedly alienated a few players, disappears completely from the match-day 23.
“I can’t walk away from here because the last two years I’ve made commitments to players to stay with me for the next four years and carry on what we’re doing”, he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
His bosses at the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has ordered a review into the World Cup disaster and several strong candidates are already expressing interest in the post.
“The mood was pretty downcast in the first couple of days after the Australia match, but we have tried to turn that corner and show a positive front”, Goode said.
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“It needs to be comprehensive and we need to look at what we need to do better”, he said.
