Lancaster Considers Position As England Lose

England became the worst-performing host nation in World Cup history thanks to a record home defeat to the Wallabies, inspired by fly-half Bernard Foley.

“I don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with it personally because it was such a big thing”, he added.

Finally, Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie and Lancaster both defended England’s decision not to select foreign-based players, including star flanker Steffon Armitage.

Coach Stuart Lancaster accepted the consequences before the match if England didn’t get out of its pool for the first time.

“This is set to be the biggest world tournament to date, over a million people have so far seen games live, and I have no doubt that our investment of time and resources in creating a lasting legacy will see a step change in rugby enjoyment and participation across the country”, said Ritchie.

“The accountability and responsibility lies with me”.

England captain Chris Robshaw, whose own performances and leadership have come under fire from Rugby commentators, said he too would be considering his future. “But credit to Australia, they deserved the win”. “I think over the next few days we’re going to have to answer some really tough questions”, he said.

England must now face Uruguay next weekend.

But as the dust settled on England’s elimination their head coach admitted it will be a struggle to get over it.

England are already facing a possible fine for their failure to fulfil media obligations for the mixed zone after the defeat by the Wallabies.

Ritchie, who appointed Lancaster in one of his first major decisions after moving from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said the RFU’s response would be “calm, rational and considered”.

“I’d like to say we were right in the fight to the end but we weren’t, we were desperately clutching at straws and trying to salvage something from a game that had gone”, said Wood.

“I think Owen [Farrell] played really well in the first half in this game and George is a great player as well”.

“The score never reflected that”. And it seemed so again on Saturday night, sung low and slow for a last time when there were 15 minutes left to play.

Lancaster described Australia number eight David Pocock, who won three of those turnovers, as “outstanding” and “a special player”.

“We’re at our best if we’ve been written off”, Meyer said after the performance in which Handre Pollard kicked 19 points and Schalk Burger, JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana scored tries.

“I can’t even begin to explain how this feels if I’m being honest”.

However Lancaster has refused to shift blame after a humiliating exit that was confirmed by Australia’s 33-13 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday evening.

“A lot of people have written us off, and we have demonstrated that character when we are under pressure”. “Myself and the players feel like we have let the country down”.

Australia are unbeaten in their last 10 Tests against Wales, a streak stretching Gatland’s entire Wales coaching stint.

We’ve spent a lot of time looking forward over the last two to three years and now we need to look at what we need to do next.

You want to take momentum into the finals.