Warren Gatland backs Stuart Lancaster after ‘media assassination’

Instead, England becoming the first host team to fail to reach the Rugby World Cup knockout stage has dampened the spirits of the fans.

In weeks to come, the talk will still be why England lost 33-13 to Australia at Twickenham last Saturday, a week after losing 28-25 to Wales at the same ground.

“I didn’t realise there was a category of “super coaches” but I take your point”, said Lancaster, who has also failed to deliver the Six Nations title in the spell he has been in charge.

“I rang Stuart during the week and left a message, and he texted me back and said he appreciated the support”. That’s more important than the rugby.

What should have been a glorious celebration of Union in the north instead threatens to be the anti-climax to end them all.

“I have been reviewed many times, received 360 degree feedback, you name it. I have got no problems with it”, Lancaster said.

England were dumped out of the competition after fly-half George was controversially benched for their defeats against Wales and Australia.

Stuart Lancaster has rung the changes to face Uruguay. Against Australia, there were times we were on top.

“You learn from that, and experience comes from that and it showed in the autumn against South Africa”. We have an unbelievable run of fixtures coming up; we have Toulon, Leinster, Leicester, Northampton and Wasps twice.

Gatland says the team have been told to express themselves.

Japan’s Australian coach Eddie Jones said he could be “open” to an approach as England slumped to an all-time low of eighth in the world rankings. It gives us that footwork and physical presence in midfield.

Lancaster says he has nothing to hide and called on the RFU to be transparent with its findings. He has trained well there and looks sharp. Everything’s in place. The ambition, the facilities, the team I have around me, the coaches, and I’ve re-signed players on the basis that I am selling them a vision for the next four years.

England should have been good enough to progress from their pool and the knock-on effect for the whole country has been huge, it is a feeling of mourning.

England thrashed Uruguay 60-3 in its last Rugby World Cup pool match on Saturday, ending an otherwise miserable campaign that raised questions about its ability to compete at the highest level. That is what he is very good at doing.

It was always likely to be an awkward occasion for England; little more than a chance to alleviate a fraction of the embarrassment caused by their early tournament exit.