The inquest into England’s Rugby World Cup exit has begun in earnest, though there will be no ‘hasty decision’.
At least that’s according to English Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Ian Ritchie.
The position of head coach Stuart Lancaster is likely to come in for intense scrutiny in the wake of Saturday night’s 33-13 collapse against Australia.
This sees England eliminated from the world cup with one Pool A game remaining, making them the first host nation not to get beyond the pool stage since the competition was first staged in 1987.
Their campaign was disastrous almost from the start, with a confused selection policy and poor results dogging Lancaster.
The rot really started with a 28-25 defeat to an injury-wracked Wales side at Twickenham and continued with a listless display against the Wallabies.
Former world cup-winning England coach Clive Woodward offered no excuses England’s dramatic exit from their own tournament.
"Let's not waste time with excuses. Let's lose with dignity," he said.
"In the final analysis we simply haven't been good enough, on or off the field, at this world cup and the way forward will be just that little bit easier if we admit that straight away.
"It was a tough pool but England should have been well capable of beating both Wales and Australia, familiar opponents they have beaten many times in recent years.
"No expense has been spared in England's preparation and they were at home in both matches. Everything was in England's favour and they should have cashed in."
Woodward didn’t spare the English head coach in his analysis, though he too said a decision on his future is for another day.
"The future of Stuart Lancaster and others must not be allowed to hijack this tournament,” he remarked
Australia coach Michael Chieka acknowledged that Lancaster was now under intense pressure, though he did offer some sympathy.
"Our goal is not to put Stuart Lancaster in a difficult position, our goal is to play well and win games so we can try to get through a very difficult pool," said the man who led Leinster to the first of their three Heineken Cup wins.
"That's something I'm not involved with and I don't wish that type of difficulty on anyone because I've been there, I've been through tough times.
“And it's hard, you feel like you want to do more.
"I don't know him very well but he seems like a very genuine guy and he's very proud of what he does. I'm sure he'll bounce back.
"I know it's tough but our intent is certainly not to do that, it was purely to get four points to try to get through the pool."
When asked in the direct aftermath of the Australia defeat if he would reconsider his position, a downbeat Lancaster said: "Yeah, obviously I think I've got to.
"It's not just going to be my decision. We've still got another week to go. My priority is to get the team ready for Uruguay.”
Lancaster has been in the job since 2011, picking up the pieces after Martin Johnson’s ill-fated reign.
However, he has little to show for his four years in charge. Everything was geared towards winning this world cup and England have fallen far short of that.
