From world champions to champions of farce via a final appearance.What has gone wrong with English rugby? Is English rugby all bad. Like any difficult situation English rugby cannot see the wood for the trees. The world cup was that bad that there has been no talk of redeeming features for England, no shoots of recovery, just a mess. However anyone who has studied science will tell you that a negative result is still a result. So what have we learnt from the mess.
1. Martin Johnson was the greatest captain England has known but the transition to manager was a mistake. Was it too soon, was he too close to his players? All this is speculation the black and white stats of it say simply he failed.
2. The coaching staff was useless. In 2003 when England were a side packed full of experience and leaders the coaching staff was everywhere extolling the various virtues of what they did. This time round they were nowhere to be seen. This is far worse as this side were far younger and far less mature.
3. Be nice to everybody particularly your hosts. Part of the disastrous campaign can be without doubt attributed to its poor perception in the public eye. Whether it be drunken nights out or dodgy dealing with hotel staff.
4. Establish patterns of play. England went to the world cup with no idea of their best side. They did not know which style of rugby they wanted to play they were defensively child like. Offensively they were devoid of any plans.
Four years between world cups, should give you some ideas of these things. There appeared to be lots of false dawns during Johnson reign but none of it led to anything conclusive. Where now for England, it is hard to say four years is a long time but is it long enough to sort England out. Strong leadership is vital and at the moment that is sadly lacking from the RFU.
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