England get ‘reality check’

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO emerged from the ruins left by England’s latest calamitous away day collapse — a 22-9 loss to France — and conceded: “This has given us a bit of a reality check.”

England did nothing to disprove the popular theory their miserable reign as world champions will end in early October when they return to the intimidating Stade Velodrome.

Assuming England emerge from a World Cup qualifying pool that also features South Africa and Samoa, Australia or Wales should be waiting for them at the quarter-final stage.

Wales will be significantly stronger than the third-rate team humbled 62-5 by Dallaglio and company at Twickenham two weeks ago, and current world rankings suggest Australia are too strong for an England side boasting a heavyweight pack but precious little else.

France simply bided their time before sending England spinning to another totally predictable defeat on the back of centre Yannick Jauzion’s touchdown and 17 points from goalkickers Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frederic Michalak.

Critically, England conceded 10 points while lock Simon Shaw was in the sin-bin following a high tackle on Damien Traille, and with concussed captain Phil Vickery having already been carried off, there was no way back.

Dallaglio, a second-half replacement for the wholly ineffective Harlequins number eight Nick Easter, said: “When you are down a man like that, you have got to redouble your efforts.

“There will be times in the World Cup when we might be down a man, and we’ve got to learn to be able to cope. That said, I didn’t think it was a sin-binning — Simon hit him on the shoulder.

“But we contributed to our own downfall by giving away so many penalties.

“We didn’t have much of a cutting edge, but tries were always going to be at a premium. Our problem was we were never really on the front foot after the first 10 minutes.

“It has given us a bit of a reality check. We’ve got a couple of weeks to learn from this, and we’ve got to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes in our World Cup campaign.

“I think what it is going to take is an extra 20 to 30% from every player, but we are good enough.”

England coach Brian Ashton says he remained confident his side could cause a surprise at the World Cup despite a disappointing warm-up campaign.

“There is a good morale within in the squad,’’ insisted Ashton. “There is a great desire and there will be a belief that we can surprise one or two people when the tournament starts.

“We outplayed France last week and they outplayed us on Saturday. Does that mean we should be more worried than they should be? I am not quite sure.

“We still have a positive attitude amongst the players.’’

However Ashton’s optimism will not be shared by the majority of England fans set to flood France next month.

Not only are England likely to bow out of World Cup contention early, current evidence suggests they could depart with barely a whimper.

France scorers: Tries: Jauzion. Cons: Elissalde. Pens: Elissalde 4, Michalak.

England scorers: Pens: Wilkinson 3.

FRANCE: Poitrenaud, Heymans, Traille, Jauzion, Dominici, Michalak, Elissalde, Harinordoquy, Dusautoir, Nyanga, Thion, Pelous, Poux, Ibanez, Milloud.

Replacements: Skrela for Traille (72), Mignoni for Elissalde (67), Bonnaire for Nyanga (61), Nallet for Pelous (59), Mas for Poux (64), Bruno for Ibanez (59).

ENGLAND: Cueto, Lewsey, Hipkiss, Farrell, Robinson, Wilkinson, Perry, Easter, Rees, Corry, Borthwick, Shaw, Vickery, Regan, Freshwater.

Replacements: Sackey for Lewsey (62), Gomarsall for Perry (79), Dallaglio for Easter (52), Worsley for Rees (64), Barkley for Corry (73), Stevens for Vickery (41).

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).