England coach Brian Ashton was left to rue a breakdown in the basics in his team’s tryless showing in the 22-9 defeat to France, the second loss in eight days against the World Cup hosts.
The England squad now have 10 days off before gathering again in London on August 29 and Ashton and his coaching staff have been left with plenty to think about.
”The disappointment was we didn’t actually front up when it came to the basics of the game, which we had done during the past two weeks,” Ashton said after Saturday’s loss and in reference to the previous week’s 21-15 loss and 62-5 thrashing of Wales.
”We know we need to get our forward platform right, but we also know that we need to put other bits and pieces on our game if we are going to make a defence of the World Cup, and so far we’ve not been able to do that.
”I don’t think it is down to attitude. The players understand what we need to do, and they are very keen to do it.”
Whereas England crushed Wales 62-5 and should have beaten France at Twickenham last weekend after dominating possession and territory, they were emphatically despatched in their final Test before defending the Webb Ellis Trophy.
”I was disappointed with the lack of composure the players showed at times,” said Ashton.
”I can clearly remember a number of occasions when we turned ball over in the tackle and tried to offload possession when it wasn’t on.
”We would get ball back from the opposition, then suddenly two phases later it was back with them again. You don’t build a game or build a score playing rugby like that.
”Hopefully now, we can find our strongest XV. Time is against us, we all know that and we’ve said it all along, but we can’t use that as an excuse.
”I am pretty close to knowing my starting XV against America, and I will pick the strongest team, assuming they are all fit.
”There is no flattening of morale. We recognise we didn’t play well, and I think we are past the stage where morale is going to be flattened.
”I do think there is a belief that perhaps we can still surprise some people, but we know we have got a hell of a lot of hard work to do.” — Sapa-AFP