Huddle that says bruising defeat is not end of road

Despite suffering 32-12 mauling, England still envisage a bright future, writes Gavin Mairs

As the World Cup logistics team assembled the winners’ podium on the pitch at the International Stadium Yokohama, a few yards away Mako Vunipola stood shoulder-toshoulder in the middle of a huddle of England players.

Behind him stood his brother Billy, his white shirt soaked with blood, the bandage around his head masking another wound of a battle England had expected to win, only to now be burdened with the pain of the battered, bruised and defeated. If it was a moment that captured the fine margins between success and failure, this was ultimately the defining image of England’s World Cup campaign. The brilliant victories over Australia and New Zealand had brought Eddie Jones’s side to within touching distance of greatness, and yet it was South Africa who would seconds later step on to the podium, providing the powerful image to the world of Siya Kolisi becoming the first black captain to lift the Webb Ellis trophy. Few noticed Vunipola’s address. Yet for the England players, some of whom refused to have silver medals placed around their necks, it was no less poignant.

The loosehead prop is a hugely respected figure within the squad. When he speaks, players listen. He had attempted to take the fight to a Springbok pack that on the day had been able to not only deny England the front-foot ball they require for their attacking game to function, but also create similar levels of stress to enforce errors that Jones’s side had imposed on New Zealand.

“It was a thank you to the whole squad, not just the players but the staff as well,” said Vunipola. “This has been the most enjoyable time I’ve had with England. Hopefully that carries on.”

Joe Marler, who replaced Vunipola in the 45th minute – and bolstered England’s battered scrum, which had conceded six penalties after Kyle Sinckler had been knocked out in the third minute following an accidental collision with Maro Itoje’s elbow – also predicted a bright future.

“This team, if they keep developing the way they have been, they’ll dominate for a long period,” said Marler, who would not confirm if he intended to extend his international career. “I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it and seeing the growth of the youngsters.”

And yet the conundrum for Jones and England is that after reaching the final in such style, that bright future had seemed here and now. The manner of the defeat, with the Springboks able to target the set-piece despite Jones’s plans to make England’s traditional strengths in scrum and line-out the best in the world, inevitably leads to questions about whether they can take the next step. England’s commitment and attention to detail could not have been faulted, nor their tactical execution. Yet when the side’s ball-carriers are