Rugby World Cup: Burgess here to stay, says England coach

“I’ve had feedback from players who have worked with Andy outside of England who are British and Irish Lions and they found him to be an outstanding coach, person and leader”.

Wales played a key role in England’s demise with a thrilling 28-25 win over their old rivals at Twickenham.

Exeter coach Rob Baxter feels the odds favour a change at the top but said: “Probably the most disappointing thing, more than the results, was the performances”.

“While all the noise on the outside is huge, I am determined that the team stays together and stays positive, believing in what they are doing”.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has been in touch with Stuart Lancaster to offer his support following England’s elimination from the World Cup.

“Forty-odd games he’s played at seven for England and he’s got man of the match, I think, in double figures”, said Lancaster.

Rugby World Cup sponsors O2, Marriott Hotels and Heineken tried to brush off the projected commercial losses from England’s premature exit from the competition, though experts warn that the humiliation of the losses breeds a damaging cost of association.

“But for an global coach, because you only have a few games each year, it takes longer to build. I think other people have proven that”.

“Having the World Cup here is the flagship of our coaching generation and there are tickets on sale in Manchester [for the Uruguay game] this morning for £2.50 – no b***shit”.

“He said to me, “I know I am a six”. We all understand the pressures of the professional sport and what you have to deal with”. But while the 58-year-old insists he was interested in taking up the position then, he has no hunger to do so four years on. According to the paper “several players could snub it or provide only guarded feedback” because they fear their comments could be leaked to the media.

Overall, this has been the best World Cup so far with the likes of Japan, the U.S., Georgia and Uruguay showing a vast improvement.

“There were a lot of very close decisions at the end”.

“It’s a brilliant job but it’s a tough job”.

I’m gutted for the England players who unfortunately were just not good enough on the night, and the big question now is does Stuart survive? “I’m sure Luther will be in that mix”.