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'Soul-destroying': Former England player takes to social media to blast current team
By Sam Smith
Former World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood has shared an honest, emotional message on social media with regard to the state of the current national side.
England slumped to a 27-13 loss to South Africa at Twickenham to end their Autumn campaign which Greenwood called the most 'soul-destroying' game he has attended at the home of England Rugby.
The 55-Test international didn't hold back in his assessment of how England played, claiming they were 'scared of their shadows' in a performance that many have labelled an abject failure.
"That was one of the most soul-destroying, demoralising, games of rugby I think I've ever been to at Twickenham," Greenwood said in video published online.
"The side look completely devoid and shot of ideas. Scared of it's own shadow, beaten up, out-played, out-muscled, out-thought.
"This year, played 13 and won five. Scotland win the Calcutta Cup every time they play us."
As head coach Eddie Jones continued to look for the positives out of the loss, claiming England are heading in the right direction, Greenwood wasn't buying the rhetoric.
The former centre knows what it takes to build into a successful World Cup campaign, having been an integral part of England's 2003 World Cup win.
After hitting rock bottom in 1998 on a Southern Hemisphere tour where they were smashed 76-0 by Australia, by 2000 they were Six Nations champions and repeated in 2001.
In 2003 they captured a Grand Slam before going on to win the Rugby World Cup later that year. The signs of improvement were visible after the 1999 World Cup quarter-final exit.
"You can get caught up in the 'building World Cup, building World Cup' evolution and development. If that was happening, and we were playing and getting beaten 47-45 you'd sort of go, 'yeah well done'," Greenwood explained.
"But all I know right now is it is tough, tough to defend."
Greenwood's sentiment was shared by former players and pundits alike, with Jeremy Guscott calling for a 'serious reboot' after the dismal Autumn campaign.
The RFU announced a review will be undertaken with a 'series of meetings' but that wasn't enough to appease rugby writer Stephen Jones who called the action 'pathetic'.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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