Two of Sport360’s rugby aficionados go head-to-head in this week’s #360debate, taking in England’s chances of World Cup success after their demoralising defeat to Wales.
What do you make of our journalists’ comments and do you think England can claim glory on home soil or will they exit at the earliest stage?
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James Piercy, Sport360 Deputy Editor – YES!
In the past, Stuart Lancaster has cited legendary San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh’s book ‘The Score Will Take Care Of Itself’ as his prime course of inspiration.
Always willing to look for new ideas and theories, the England coach could do with looking a little closer to home for the Red Rose’s next match: namely the words of Australia coach Michael Cheika last week: “It’s a game where the humble usually succeed.”
Everything about Chris Robshaw’s decision to kick for a lineout, rather than take a shot at goal and the draw went against that mantra.
Lost in the moment, he thought about the headlines, the glory and possibly, shedding his reputation as a defensive, unadventurous captain.
Glory can wait until the latter stages, in the group stage it’s about results. And nothing about that decision was securing the result.
But paradoxically, it can also be a positive for this relatively young side. This group of players are yet to win anything of substance and only four of the starting XV had World Cup experience prior to this tournament.
“A big win against Australia and we are right back on track.” @tomwood678 rallies the troops ahead of a huge week. https://t.co/bhhCDvTN7q
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 27, 2015
They are learning as they go. And you learn far more in defeat than in victory.
The knockouts are still very much within reach with wins over Australia and Uruguay. Finishing second in the group, and playing a quarter-final against South Africa or Scotland away from the comfort zone of Twickenham may also be no bad thing.
This defeat will hurt but it can also bring the team closer together.
Owen Farrell was superb against Wales, Ben Youngs brilliant until his forced withdrawal, Billy Vunipola at his rampaging best while Mike Brown, Jonny May and Anthony Watson are still one of the more potent back threes in the competition.
If they can refine their set piece, settle on a midfield pairing (Burgess or Barritt, not both please) and most importantly learn from the uncomfortable experiences of Saturday, they will be a better team.
We’re just 11 days into the tournament and bar Wales – who surely have a limited shelf-life – who has really stood out so far?
It’s all very much to play for.
So tough 4 @EnglandRugby team. Gr8 performance. Lessons come in difficult forms s-times. U’re out there facing/doing it- we aren’t! #RESPECT
— Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) September 26, 2015
Andrew Binner, Online Journalist for Sport360.com – NO!
England’s chances of qualifying from their group are hanging by a thread and without believing in their invincibility at home, the Red Rose is as good as dead.
Wales’ win revealed two main areas of concern for the hosts that will prevent them from lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
Firstly, Stuart Lancaster’s management is not good enough and secondly England do not have any other outside centres in Jonathan Joseph’s absence.
Even before this crucial Pool A encounter had begun eyebrows were raised over the England coach’s selection policy. Why start Brad Barritt, an out and out 12, in an unfamiliar wider role for what was arguably the biggest game of his career?
Manu Tuilagi’s omission was always going to be a hammer-blow but in Elliot Daly and even Henry Slade, England possess in-form and more experienced outside centres.
As it happened Scott Williams’ early break highlighted the inexperience in England’s midfield and Wallaby duo Matt Giteau and Tevita Kuridrani will have greatly enjoyed watching the hosts’ midfield toil.
Straight up England, really need something from the midfield. 2 crashers offers nothing.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) September 26, 2015
Then to Lancaster’s in-game management. In a game that was quickly descending into an arm-wrestle it simply made no sense to bring on diminutive George Ford, whose channel quickly became the focal point for the Welsh attack. The game was far from won and the England boss’ penchant for making wholesale changes perhaps highlighted a lack of top-level experience.
I do believe that England will progress from the group, possibly even as winners. Wales’ injury-depleted squad will likely lose to Australia while Fiji have caused them problems in the past.
However, with South Africa a likely last eight opponent and Twickenham more folly than fortress, it will take a miracle for England to win a second World Cup.
World champions may get away with one off-day in a World Cup, but England have submitted two below-par performances out of two and home advantage has now quickly turned to home pressure for what is a largely inexperienced squad.
Would New Zealand ever lose to an injury-plagued Wales team? I rest my case.
