World Cup winner Kyran Bracken branded England’s attacking game an “embarrassment” as another Six Nations ended in failure.
France held their nerve to win a first Grand Slam since 2010, condemning Eddie Jones’ team to a third championship flop in five years.
Rugby Football Union chiefs immediately announced a review into the campaign whilst praising England’s “solid progress” and giving Jones a staggering vote of confidence.
But Bracken said: “We just look clueless in attack. We’ve gone backwards since the World Cup. Eddie has got to get his attack right. That for me is the embarrassment of our performances.”
Bracken added that the English rugby public are “probably sick of the inconsistencies of selection” but said it he feels it is “too late and probably too expensive” for regime change 14 months out from the World Cup.
Fellow former England star Ugo Monye said England’s spring showing was was “simply not accessible.”
He said: “This England team have been in a cycle of boom or bust. Last year was a clear bust but to back it up with the same number of wins, for the level of players we have, for the player pool we have, the financial backing we have and the coach we have, it's just not good enough.”
Jones countered that he felt had done a “reasonable job” for England since taking charge in 2016, though “I obviously haven’t done a good enough” one in this campaign.
But any concern he might have felt over his position was quickly dispelled by the RFU’s remarkable show of support.
“Eddie Jones is building a new England team and against a clear strategy we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made during this Six Nations campaign,” said a spokesperson.
“Eddie and his team of coaches and players will conduct a full review as is normal after each tournament.
“The RFU advisory panel which consists of board and executive members, former players and coaches along with Eddie, will also undertake a debrief to discuss the strong positive steps forward during this campaign and the areas we need to address.
“The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team.”
