1987: Quarter Finals
1991: Runners-Up1995: Fourth Place
1999: Quarter Finals2003: Winners
2007: Runners-Up2011: Quarter Finals
2015: Pool StageCAN THE RED ROSE
BLOSSOM ONCE MORE IN JAPAN?
our years ago, English rugby was
in turmoil, the national team
having failed to make it out of the
pool for the first time in Rugby World Cup
history.
Defeats to Australia and Wales consigned
England to third place, and the
disappointment was enough to account for
then Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, who was
removed and replaced by Eddie Jones.
In his first two years in charge, ex-Australia
and Japan boss Jones guided England to
back-to-back Six Nations titles and a series
win over the Wallabies in Australia - all
appeared to be right again at Twickenham.
The 2018 Six Nations saw a huge decline as
England finished fifth, but they responded
well this year and were a close second to
Grand Slam champions Wales.
Historically, England have performed well at
the Rugby World Cup, reaching the final on
home soil in 1991, making the semi-finals in
South Africa four years later before
encountering the juggernaut of Jonah Lomu
and the All Blacks.
Another outstanding individual display,
when Jannie de Beer kicked a world record
five drop-goals, saw England crash out in
the quarter-finals in 1999, but four years
later in Australia, Sir Clive Woodward’s side
reached the summit of the world game
thanks to THAT drop-goal from Jonny
Wilkinson.
In 2007, England headed to France
little-fancied, but stunned the rugby world
as they reached the final, only to lose to
South Africa in a closely-fought final.Thereafter, World Cup performances have
not been much to write home about, but
with an abundance of world class talent at
their disposal, England will hope to put that
right in Japan this autumn.
Owen Farrell is a key man - as well as
pulling the strings in attack, the Saracens
stand-off may also be tasked with leading
England at the World Cup in the absence of
Dylan Hartley; while his club team-mates
Mako and Billy Vunipola are equally central
to England’s chances of success.
Both brothers have had injury problems in
2018/19, but Jones will hope to get them
fully fit over pre-season. England also
possess some of the best attackers in the
game, the likes of Elliot Daly and Jonny May
are potent finishers.F
ENGLAND
COACH:
EDDIE JONES36 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • ISSUE 116 2019
RUGBY WORLD CUP - TOP 10