The Rugby World Cup’s so-called ‘Pool of Death’, containing England, Wales and Australia, came about because of the (then) International Rugby Board’s extraordinary decision to hold the draw on Dec 3, 2012 – nearly three years before the tournament began.
Warren Gatland is preparing his Wales troops for a huge match against Australia
Wales slipped from No 8 in the world to No 9 on the very day the draw was made, and remained at that position for just two months, during which time no rugby was played. By the end of February 2013 they had risen to No 6, and they have remained fifth or sixth since. So if the draw had been made at any time up to 2½ years before the tournament, we would not have had the situation where the countries ranked Nos 2, 4 and 5 in the world all ended up in the same pool.
Bill Adair, Stockton, Worcester
TMO time consuming
Having attended the Namibia v Georgia game at Exeter, the first half was disrupted by the TMO so much that it lasted 65 minutes. The use of the TMO has to be limited or it will kill the game.
Namibia got the better of Georgia in an unusually long first-half
Momentum was lost, continuity non-existent and the fans were frustrated beyond belief. The game is meant to last 80 minutes not 110.
Paul Caruana, Truro, Cornwall
Lack of quality coaches cost England
England’s football, cricket and rugby teams’ early dismissal from recent World Cups has nothing to do with the standard of players. We have some of the most talented sportsmen in the world: a perusal of our Olympic medal achievements proves that.
Owen Farrell (left to right), Lancaster and Graham Rowntree appear to have read Alan G Barstow’s letter
What we are not good at is providing world-class coaches, managers and selectors. For as long as we eschew more talented foreign coaches for our national sports we shall continue to exit major competitions early.
Alan G Barstow, Onslunda, Sweden
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
I am no rugby union expert, but even I have heard the adage that it takes four years playing the same 15 men together (injuries excepted) to create a world-class side. Has Stuart Lancaster never heard this?
Owen Farrell (left to right), Brad Barritt and Sam Burgess started against Wales despite never having previously started together
And who are the dodos in the RFU who gave Lancaster a contract til 2020? Was no one else in contention for the role?
David Silber, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire
If you can’t stand the heat …
No player, however good, should be captain if, under pressure in an international match, he makes disastrous decisions to the determent of his team.
L A Lawrence, Devizes, Wiltshire
Old pros may be the answer
May I suggest Jonny Wilkinson as backs coach and Lawrence Dallaglio as forwards coach for the beleaguered England team. They have been there and done it.
Jonny Wilkinson’s experience would help England
WK McAllister, Bridgend
Hosts are just not good enough
England is the richest, most powerful union in world rugby and has, by far, the highest number of players. They have had a four-year preparation for a tournament in which their first three matches were in their own home stadium. Despite these obvious advantages they have gone out of the Rugby World Cup with one pool game to play.
England’s home advantage counted for nothing at the Rugby World Cup
The pundits and commentators can search for the reasons and excuses for this failure, but there is one simple truth. They are not good enough.
Alex Churm, Weston, Crewe
Stop scapegoating Burgess
Why is it that the English (and other) media is obsessed with criticising every Sam Burgess performance? The real problem with the England centres against Wales was Brad Barritt, who Jonathan Davies correctly described as very ordinary at international level. His passing is poor, and he offers no threat with the ball as a passer or carrier. Burgess offers enough of a threat to hold the opposition, as he did to Roberts for England’s try.
Sam Burgess has been the focus of recriminations following England’s World Cup exit
Barritt made a very poor decision in the move leading to the Welsh try, not very good for a man who is only in the team for his supposed excellence in defence. The real weakness with England on Saturday was the reluctance to pick Slade at 13.
Lay off Burgess.
Mark Purdy, Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club
Driving the Springboks