England vs Uruguay: Hosts' ‘invisible men’ can reveal a glimpse of what could be

Space invader: Henry Slade has the ability to make the most of gaps in defences
(David Rogers/Getty Images)
Chris Jones9 October 2015

They are used to watching money deliver success at the Etihad Stadium but tomorrow there will be proof that being the biggest and wealthiest rugby nation does not guarantee success.

England bring down the curtain on their failed World Cup challenge against the minnows of Uruguay at the home of Manchester City. The match was supposed to be a triumphant visit to the North-West to spread the union gospel on the day that rugby league stages its Grand Final between Leeds and Wigan at Old Trafford.

Now, Stuart Lancaster — an avid Leeds Rhinos fan — will watch his players for what looks certain to be the last time as head coach as they inflict a heavy defeat on winless Uruguay.

The Rugby Football Union review into the World Cup debacle will only confirm what he has already admitted: results were just not good enough. No coach can expect to survive having failed to win the Six Nations and four second-placed finishes created the impression that England could not put together the kind of run needed to become world champions.

As it turned out, a win over Fiji followed by a loss against Wales when they led 22-12 and a 33-13 thumping by Australia has England cast in the role of also–rans at their own World Cup. England must live with the ignominy of being the first host country to fail to make the knock-out stages.

The invisible men of England’s Cup challenge — Alex Goode, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, David Wilson, James Haskell and Danny Care — have been given a chance to actually play a part in the tournament against Uruguay but they cannot change the fact their team are the laughing stock of the game.

Player Ratings: How did England fare?

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What these players will do, is prove England have running threats, ball players who can attack space rather than bodies and at least comfort the shocked fans that the future is not as bad as the present.

Lancaster has put on a happy face for his players while verbally sparring with the media and he is dealing with all of this week’s duties rather than his fellow coaches because “this is my team”.

The head coach is a man of principle and integrity and that is why he must accept that tomorrow’s win over Uruguay will be his final match in charge. The foundations Lancaster put in place will survive as testament to his commitment to the cause but like his team, it wasn’t good enough on the biggest rugby stage of them all. Lancaster does not believe England need a complete overhaul but admitted: “I would say that wouldn’t I because I built it.”

England are merely a rugby sideshow tomorrow when they should be centre stage and while the crowd will give the players unqualified support the bottom line is this is a wake not a celebration.

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