England struggle for 'world-class' players
By Matt Torbit
From Paris
VERSAILLES, 16 September - England have been found wanting on the international stage and would struggle to get a player in a World XV, their assistant coach Mike Ford says.
Ford, reflecting on their poor start in the tournament, said in stark contrast to four years ago (in Australia) the world champions were being left behind.
"It's disappointing. In 2003 we had six or seven players you'd agree who would probably get in a World XV. I'm not sure now how many would get in," he said.
"I'm not saying that they are not great players, ours, it's just that maybe other teams have overtaken us."
Ford, referring to England's 36-0 loss to South Africa on Friday, said South Africa's scrum half Fourie du Preez was "a massive, massive difference".
"We're disappointed with our own game management (against South Africa) but we are where we are with the players that we've got, and no disrespect to anybody, but we just haven't got those sort of world-class players in our team."
After RWC 2003, England's Phil Vickery, Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood were named in the tournament's World XV.
Wilkinson was named player, England the team and Sir Clive Woodward coach of the year.
RNS mt/gs
