Woodward points finger at coach

There was a suspicion that England were beginning to believe their own press as the Stuart Lancaster regime took hold — but who better to bring them back to earth than Clive Woodward.

The man who masterminded England’s World Cup win in 2003 has seen his era made look even better by a succession of failures since, at least by the high standards that English fans and officials demand of their national side.

Having been tipped to win in many quarters of the English media, Saturday’s 20-14 reverse to a vulnerable, injury-hit Australia side had many pundits backpedalling.