Stuart Lancaster keen to get on with reviewing England’s performance

Head coach says he has no plans to take break and receives backing from flanker Tom Wood

LONDON: England head coach Stuart Lancaster says he wants to “go forward” to start solving the problems that led to his side’s disappointing early exit from the Rugby World Cup, with one of his former captains urging him to “come out fighting”.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will shortly begin reviewing the performance of the England players and coaching staff after Lancaster’s men became the first host nation to be knocked out of the tournament at the group stage.

But in his final media conference of England 2015 at the team hotel in Worsley, Manchester, on Sunday, Lancaster (pictured above) said he supported a direct approach and wanted all performance reviews addressed as soon as possible.

“I think I would find it hard to do nothing for too long because I want to get on with stuff,” Lancaster said, when asked if he was considering taking a break from the game. “I won’t be flying off to Australia, I’ll be around.”

Come out fighting

The England boss has also called for input into the review from his players, and there was no shortage of support for him in the immediate aftermath of the meaningless 60-3 win against Uruguay at City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday night.

“I want Stuart and the coaches to come out fighting,” said flanker Tom Wood, whom Lancaster appointed captain for England’s 2013 tour of Argentina. “Stuart’s work-rate is unbelievable. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a bloke and as a coach.” 

Throughout England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign, Lancaster and his coaching team have faced criticism over team selection and tactics.

But flanker James Haskell said the players must shoulder much of the blame. “As a player, you pride yourselves on your own personal performances. I think we have to go away and reflect on ourselves, and whoever gets to put that white shirt on again needs to do it justice,” said Haskell at the team hotel on Sunday.  

Youthful squad

Despite the overwhelming show of support for England from their thousands of supporters in Manchester, many detractors have questioned the team’s ability to compete at the top level after Lancaster traded experienced veterans from the 2011 campaign for a youthful squad with an average age of 26.

“The pressure of trying to achieve success is never-ending and a lot of our top talent is in our youngest players. Having to win and bring in young talent can be a difficult thing,” said Lancaster, who handed a start to late call-up Nick Easter and then watched the 37-year-old run in a hat-trick of tries.

Lancaster added that the bitter defeats against Wales and Australia in Pool A will help England grow as a team. “The margins of victory and defeat are sometimes very small and sometimes they are out of the coach’s control. I do think we have made progress from defeat.”

How much more progress can be made by England under the current regime may also be out of Lancaster’s control.