England lost 27-13 to South Africa on Saturday, ending a dismal autumn campaign in which Eddie Jones’s side won just one game; Woodward: “The game in this country is total chaos and the defeat of a South African team without nine of their best players showing it”
Last Update: 11/27/22 11:27 am
England players huddle at the final whistle after the defeat to South Africa.
Sir Clive Woodward said Saturday’s terrible 27-13 loss to South Africa at Twickenham capped off the “worst week in English rugby history”.
England produced one of the lowest points during Eddie Jones’ tenure against a Springbok team that was missing its European-based players.
The result comes at the end of a dismal Autumn Nations Series campaign in which England won just one game: against Japan on November 12.
This latest defeat also means England have had their least successful year since 2008, with Jones presiding over six defeats, one draw and five wins.
Drawing memories of the 2019 World Cup final, England failed to really upset South Africa and the sad end to the year came just two days after rugby bosses were accused of presiding over the “failure to epic scale” by parliamentarians in response to the financial collapse. of Gallagher’s Premiership clubs Worcester and Wasps.
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England captain Owen Farrell says the team is suffering after the defeat to South Africa at Twickenham
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Woodward, the 2003 World Cup-winning England manager, said: “This was the worst week in English rugby history. The game in this country is utter chaos and defeat against a South African team without nine of their best players they showed it.
“When will the leading figures in the RFU wake up and realize that English rugby is in trouble? All is not well. Eddie Jones will be allowed to carry on as he pleases once more.”
Sir Clive Woodward led England to World Cup glory in 2003
“I was speechless watching the South Africa game. It was so bad. It was one of the most depressing games I’ve ever seen at the venue. The England team is a long way from where they should be.”
“I’ve never seen people booing at the final whistle at Twickenham before. It really, really pains me to see and hear that. I hate it. But at the same time, it also reflects where England are at the moment.”
Mike Brown was a regular for Eddie Jones until 2018
Brown: I’ve stopped believing what Eddie Jones says
Mike Brown, who is England’s most capped full-back and was a key figure under Jones until 2018, believes his former head coach must be “responsible” when he faces a Rugby Football Union review.
Nine Tests out of the 2023 World Cup and England are beset by problems and weaknesses, marking them as merely fringe contenders for the Springboks’ global crown.
“I stopped believing what comes out of Eddie Jones’s mouth. I hear the same things over and over again,” Brown told The Mail on Sunday.
“We keep getting all these narratives about growth and playing style, but they’re not supported on the field.
“He keeps saying it’s his fault, so what is he doing about it? The time for talk is over. People are bored with it. He must be held accountable.”
