England staring down the barrel unless lessons are learned – and fast | Robert Kitson

The summer series against South Africa looks ominous unless Eddie Jones’s men can address the reasons for their Six Nations implosion

An unexpectedly one‑sided Six Nations Championship has made two things crystal clear. There can be no disputing that the runaway grand slam winners, Ireland, are the European side best placed to succeed at the Rugby World Cup next year. And the other inescapable conclusion? Unless England absorb the harsh lessons of their worst finish in 31 years, the chances of them prospering in Japan are on a par with Eddie Jones holidaying in Wales in the near future.

The gap in alertness and execution between green and white over the past two months has been almost painful to behold. Rory Best’s side were the most organised and intelligent of champions, precision engineered by the razor-sharp Joe Schmidt. England? Those English fans still clinging to the fast fading memories of 2016 and 2017 need to accept the opposition have not just caught up with Jones’s squad but, in several respects, overtaken them.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2G1dJUr
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