By Alex Bywater Woodward blasts the ‘worst week in history’
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD slammed ‘the worst week in English rugby history’ after Eddie Jones’ side were beaten 27-13 by South Africa at Twickenham to end their worst year since 2008.
Jones’ team was blown away by a Springbok side missing nine first-choice players.
It meant England ended their year with just five wins from 12 games and only one victory from four November Tests.
England’s latest defeat took place in the same week the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport slammed the leading figures in English rugby for the way they run the sport.
Woodward, who led England to World Cup glory in 2003, said:
‘This was the worst week in English rugby history. The game in this country is a total shambles.
‘When are the leading figures at the RFU going to wake up and realise English rugby is in trouble? Everything is not okay. Jones will be allowed to carry on as he likes yet again.
‘I was lost for words watching the South Africa game. It was that bad.’
England head coach Jones accepted his fair share of the blame after he watched South Africa dominate at the scrum and in the forward battle.
Henry Slade scored a late try after Springboks replacement prop Thomas du Toit was redcarded, but England were second best throughout.
‘We don’t want to get beaten by a big score by South Africa and we don’t want to have the worst record since 2008, so I accept full responsibility for that,’ Jones said.
England’s worst 12 months in 14 years means they will go into the 2023 World Cup as huge outsiders.
‘We’re hurting,’ admitted
Jones’ captain Owen Farrell.
Jones added: ‘Obviously we’re disappointed with our performance but there are 11 months to go to the World Cup and a lot can happen in 11 months.
‘Are we moving in the right direction towards the World Cup? Yes, I think we are.’
Former England full-back and Mail On Sunday columnist Mike Brown said: ‘We keep getting fed stuff by Eddie which never seems to materialise.
‘He has got to be held to account. The RFU and Premiership Rugby were asked some tough questions by the DCMS which was welcome because there might be some accountability now. There should be some with the national team.’