Lancaster quits England after Rugby World Cup flop

The margins were small but England, whether through a lack of experience, discipline or the capacity to think clearly when pressure was at its most intense, regularly missed out.

“If Stuart keeps his job and goes back in, there’s a few issues to address there aren’t there?” said Bath head coach Ford.

White, meanwhile, guided South Africa to success in France in 2007. Twice victor of the IRB Coach of the Year award. “I do not think it was an impediment to the end result of the World Cup”.

“It’s one of the sought-after jobs in world rugby – a sleeping giant as England are, they’ve got all the resources, the history, the tradition”, White told Sky Sports News.

Named World Rugby Coach of the Year after transforming Australia’s fortunes and steering the Wallabies to the World Cup final which they lost to New Zealand.

He added: “The assistant coaches remain under contract”.

Former Leeds coach Lancaster has been left to fight for his England future, while the recrimination continues to spread elsewhere. Stuart is a first-class character. I would love for him to be given a go but the tea leaves are pointing towards a “name” being brought in. They became the first host nation ever to crash out at the group stages, losing to rivals Wales and Australia in embarrassing fashion.

In charge of Northampton Saints since 2007 and has global ambitions.

“It is a matter of getting the best coach possible to take English rugby forward”. The average age of England’s key decision-makers was significantly less than all of the World Cup semi-finalists.

He had been an average centre for Bath and there were plenty better in the Premiership.

Ritchie pledged “no inhibitions” in recruiting Lancaster’s replacement, which effectively means the RFU is ready to break the bank and hand their chosen man one of the world’s most lucrative contracts.

Dean Richards of Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors chief Dean Ryan could also be contenders.

Greenwood did also extend his sympathies to Lancaster, describing him as an “honourable man” – a sentiment shared among former players and press in the United Kingdom – but he said it was clear “the side just wasn’t able to cope with the intensity of the World Cup”.

The upshot of all the bad blood, says the paper, is that “urgent action must be taken to restore confidence in the England set-up”.

The new coach will have to rebuild England’s confidence and enthusiasm quickly, with a rejuvenated Scotland first up on 6 February in the 2016 Six Nations.

But do the circumstances get more exceptional than Australian back-rowers David Pocock and Michael Hooper dominating their England counterparts, while Steffon Armitage can not be selected? After little more than a year in rugby union, he returned to rugby league last week saying he had more passion for league.

Australia relaxed their rule and the likes of Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau helped guide the team to the final.