England chief backs Stuart Lancaster to bring World Cup glory

England have missed targets and finished an unacceptable second in the RBS 6 Nations once more, but Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has confidence in head coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Ritchie maintains Lancaster’s men can win the tournament, which they will host in September and October, despite an unsatisfactory runners-up spot in the Six Nations for a fourth time in a row.

England finished behind Ireland by a difference of six points, falling short despite a heroic 55-35 defeat of France last Saturday.