England will need a miracle to win World Cup, says Guscott

JEREMY GUSCOTT says England will not retain the World Cup unless they revamp their style of play in the wake of the shock loss to Scotland.

The former Lions centre was scathing in his criticism of an England side that went down 18-12 in Edinburgh.

“What positives can England take out of the game? I can’t think of one. Playing like that they will need a miracle to win the World Cup, they need to be reminded what the game is about,” Guscott said

England had plenty of possession on Saturday but again failed to make the most of their opportunities as Scotland’s defence dominated.

And Guscott believes there has to be a major re-think in the England camp if they are to successfully defend their title in France next year.

“What is the point of being a three-quarter for England?” he said.

“You don’t get enough ball. You don’t dominate the game. You rely on the forwards. If they have a bad game you try and throw the ball around, you make mistakes and then hand the game to the opposition.

“Full-back Josh Lewsey did run a good angle, but winger Mark Cueto did not realise that was the angle he was taking.

“They are not playing off each other because they do not do it enough.”

Guscott added: “This performance was waiting to happen, eventually a side would have turned England over.

“They were bashing and bashing thinking it (the Scottish defence) would crumble, but a side stood up to them.

“The teams in the southern hemisphere used to do that, but everyone here is doing it now.”

England turned over a host of good ball, prompting captain Martin Corry to admit that the team would have to work hard on the contact area.

Guscott says England’s breakdown area has to be addressed.

“Against Scotland, there were times England made 30 yards across the gain line,” he added. “From there you need quick ball, but England are just not smart enough.

“Scrum-half Harry Ellis is not quick enough and England are not taking command of the tackle situation. It’s simple.

“You can’t win games without quick ball. If you produce quick ball, you are going to cause threats and you are going to get defences back peddling.

“I don’t know how many changes you can make to make that improvement - either the coaches aren’t shouting loud enough or the players are deaf.”