English victim of premature draw: Gatland

Wales coach Warren Gatland has blasted World Cup chiefs for creating a “group of hell” that claimed England as the tournament’s first big casualty.

The draw put Australia, England and Wales into Pool A, which became known as the “Pool of Death” because only two teams out of the heavyweights would reach the last eight.

As shockwaves from England’s elimination spread, Gatland said it was ridiculous that the group phase draw was made three years ago.

“We knew how tough this group was going to be right from the start, and not just with England, Australia and ourselves, because Fiji are a tough proposition as well.

“I think if Fiji had been in a couple of other groups, they would have qualified for the quarter-finals as well. It has been not just the group of death, but the group of hell, basically, for all of us.”

England became the first World Cup hosts to exit the tournament before the knockout phase after Sunday’s 33-13 defeat by Australia at Twickenham. They also lost 28-25 to Wales.

Stuart Lancaster is now under intense pressure over the humiliation, but Gatland suggested the England coach was the victim of a premature draw.

“Everyone is making a thing about the first home country to hold a World Cup to miss out on the quarterfinals, but the stupid thing, as we all know, is why was the World Cup draw done three years ago? That’s just ridiculous . . . If they had followed the football model, then we wouldn’t be in this position.”

Lancaster was appointed England coach after their quarter-final exit from the 2011 World Cup. They have since finished second in Europe’s Six Nations contest four years in a row.

Gatland said he sympathised with Lancaster.

“For what he has done when he took over the job, in terms of the discipline he has instilled in that side and how his players conduct themselves, I have a huge amount of respect for what he has done.”

Australia’s victory meant Wales qualified for the last eight as well. Wales return to Twickenham on Sunday to play Australia in a match that will decide the pool winners. Top place could provide an easier quarterfinal against the Pool B runners-up, currently Scotland, rather than likely winners South Africa.