I have been silent for some time on the English rugby embarasment but can hold my tongue no more.

You always know when a coach is in trouble when his supporters feel the need to have more than their fair share of editorial space made available. So who is to blame?

It is quite simple really.  Watch the players playing for their club. Do they constantly kick away possession? Do the forwards constantly get in the way of the backs? Do the backs lose their ability to stand steep and pass out to the wing? The answer is obviously no. So why on earth do they do it at International level unless these tactics are coached into them. Why do they play so differently?  Again, the answer is obvious.

Brian Ashton is not a good coach and was lucky to get to the world cup final, and it is only this reason that saves him at the moment. It was a disgrace that Wales were allowed to get hold of Shaun Edwards while England overlooked him.