A 32-12 defeat by South Africa ended England's Rugby World Cup campaign in the most deflating way possible as Eddie Jones' men failed to show up for a match they were expected to win comfortably.
The Springboks savaged passive opponents who barely fired a shot, their mastery up-front matched by two brilliantly taken tries finished by wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe.
After the spectacular demolition of New Zealand in the semi-finals, English optimism was cruelly punctured.
Here, we look at the story of an ultimately heartbreaking World Cup...
England 35-3 Tonga, September 22
A sluggish start in sweaty conditions. Jones picked his strongest available team – the only difference from the final XV was Marler at loosehead, with Mako Vunipola injured. Left it late to get the bonus point, but it came in the end.
England 45-7 USA, September 26
Jones had been planning for this game, and its four-day turnaround, for a year. England rotated heavily (six players played their only minutes of the tournament), but performed well, running in seven tries, and only conceding in the dying moments.
England 39-10 Argentina, October 5
After a long break, Jones returned to his big guns. Vunipola and Nowell returned and impressed from the bench as England won at a canter. That is mainly because Lavinini, after 17 minutes, became the tournament’s second player red carded for a high hit on Farrell.
England 0-0 France, October 12 (match cancelled)
Two days before the game, World Rugby announced that Typhoon Hagibis had forced a cancellation – something that had never happened at the World Cup before. England topped the group and hot-footed it to Miyazaki. Jones was delighted.
England 40-16 Australia, October 19
The moment England announced themselves as contenders. They had used their two weeks’ training well, and produced a sensational four-try performance to send the Aussies home. The shock selection of Ford on the bench proved a masterstroke.
England 19-7 New Zealand, October 26
An unforgettable day for English rugby, as they knocked out the Champions of 2011 and 2015. Faced down the Haka in a V-formation, then flew out the blocks with Manu Tuilagi’s try. Never let up in a famous win.
England 12-32 South Africa, November 2
A bridge too far, in the end. Started terribly, and South Africa never allowed England back in. England were out-fought and out-muscled and lost the final to the Boks, just as they did 12 years old. Tries for wingers Mapimpi and Kolbe put the gloss on a victory forged up front.
Should Eddie Jones stay on? Have your stay above!
