TOUCHING DISTANCE OF THE CUP
...but draw is so tough on England
JAMES HASKELL says England must become ruthless if their next World Cup experience is to be better than the last.
England bombed out of the 2015 tournament – the first host nation ever to fail to reach the knockout rounds – after being drawn into the ‘group of death’.
To their horror, history repeated itself yesterday when Eddie Jones’ No.2-ranked team drew France and Argentina in Pool C, with only two to qualify.
Jones, in Japan for the draw, joked that he would go and find a temple and pray “really hard” for divine assistance.
But Haskell (below) said learning the lessons of 2015, when England crashed at home to both Wales and Australia, was all that was required.
“We learned, last time, that World Cups are all about winning,” he said. “Not player development, not planning for future World Cups, not giving guys an opportunity. It is training to win.
“We spent a lot of time focused on being the fittest. People said we weren’t fit enough. Rubbish. We were unbelievably fit, but we didn’t get to play the game plan we wanted to play.
“It is understanding what it takes to win in a tournament, understanding you get one chance and being ruthless. Selection is unbelievably important – picking the right boys. Last time, there was one eye on 2019.”
Jonny Wilkinson took up the theme after seeing Ireland and Scotland drawn together – while Wales were paired with Australia.
The World Cup winner said England’s focus must be on raising standards to a level that even opponents at the top of their game cannot live with.
“Go in there, knowing your 7/10 is better than their 10/10,” he said.
“It’s not about whether we can do this cheeky lineout move with a little peel at the front, or this backs play from our own 22.
“Just literally this: defensively, attacking-wise, team spirit, is our seven better than their 10?”
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