Woodward blames Lions tour for England’s failings

Sir Clive Woodward insists last year’s British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand left England drained for the Natwest 6 Nations.

England supplied the bulk of the Lions’ touring party to New Zealand and Woodward believes that has had a knockon effect.

“You can’t overstate what happened on the Lions tour,” Woodward said. “As a fan I love the Lions, but as England coach I did not like it one little bit.

“Every time the Lions toured, the way our players have to play so many games for their clubs, it meant you would have a bad year. The stats tell you that.

“Certainly on Saturday, but also against France and Scotland they looked tired.

“The off-season is going to be so important because they need some spring back in their step because they look like a tired team.”

England embark on a threetest tour of South Africa in June. “They have to sort it out because world rugby has gone up a step and England have been coasting for 12 months.”