Former England coach Clive Woodward stated Saturday’s defeat by South Africa had rounded off the “worst week in English rugby history” as he launched a scathing attack on Eddie Jones and the present Red Rose boss’s employers at Twickenham.
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The Springboks, in an echo of their 2019 World Cup remaining win over England, had been too sturdy up entrance and had way more attacking guile amongst their backs as they gained 27-13 at Twickenham.
Defeat meant England completed 2022 with 5 wins, six losses and a draw from 12 Tests – their worst calendar 12 months since 2008.
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To make issues worse, South Africa weren’t even at full power for a match going down exterior World Rugby’s designated window for the Autumn Nations Series.
Another lacklustre loss got here simply two days after Rugby Football Union chief government Bill Sweeney and fellow main English officers had been accused of presiding over “failure on an epic scale” by a UK parliamentary committee following the monetary collapse of Premiership golf equipment Worcester and Wasps.
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‘Total shambles’
“This was the worst week in English rugby history,” wrote Woodward in his Mail on Sunday column.
“The sport in this nation is a complete shambles and defeat to a South Africa aspect with out 9 of its finest gamers confirmed it.
“When are the leading figures at the RFU going to wake up and realise English rugby is in trouble? Everything is not OK. Eddie Jones will be allowed to carry on as he likes yet again.”
Woodward added the England crew had been “miles off where it needs to be”, with 11 months till subsequent 12 months’s World Cup in France, whereas the previous Test centre was stung by the response of a capability crowd of over 81 000 after full-time on Saturday.
“I’ve never seen people booing at the final whistle at Twickenham before,” he stated.
“It really, really hurts me to see and hear that. I hate it. But at the same time, it also reflects where England are at right now.”
England’s Autumn programme consisted of a primary loss to Argentina in 14 years, adopted by an emphatic win over Japan and a outstanding comeback draw with New Zealand earlier than a decisive defeat by the Springboks.
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Even the RFU felt moved to acknowledge England’s plight with out the identical unequivocal backing it provided to Jones when the 2022 Six Nations ended in three defeats for the third time in 5 years.
Jones and Twickenham chiefs have lengthy since agreed his eight-year stint as England coach will finish after the 2023 World Cup.
England job up for grabs
A successor is predicted to be introduced in May, with former England captain Steve Borthwick and Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara, in addition to extremely regarded New Zealander Scott Robertson, reportedly among the many contenders.
The RFU confirmed on Sunday its assessment panel, whose identities it refuses to reveal past saying they’re “board and executive members along with independent, former players and coaches” will take a look at “how improvements can be made ahead of the Six Nations”.
But there isn’t any suggestion Jones’ reign is about to come back to a untimely finish, with Sweeney having been a powerful supporter of the Australian, in cost of his native Wallabies after they misplaced the 2003 World Cup remaining to Woodward’s England in Sydney.
Sweeney, thanking England followers for his or her “patience and support”, stated on Sunday: “Like them we’re actually upset with the outcomes of the Autumn Nations Series.
“Despite strong individual performances and some great new talent coming into the team, the overall results are not where we expect them to be.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse