Sir Clive Woodward has slammed England's performances at the Rugby World Cup following their premature exit from the competition.
The Red Rose crashed out the tournament as a result of being beaten 33-13 by Australia at Twickenham, becoming the first host nation to fail to reach the knockout stage.
Woodward believes that England had enough quality to defeat both Wales and the Wallabies to make it out of Pool A, but feels that Stuart Lancaster's men failed to perform on the big stage.
He wrote in the Daily Mail: "So England's World Cup dream ends a full week before the end of the pool stages and as we swallow our bitter disappointment let's not waste time with excuses. Let's lose with dignity.
"In the final analysis we simply haven't been good enough, on or off the field, at this World Cup and the way forward will be just that little bit easier if we admit that straight away.
"Yes it was a tough pool but England should have been well capable of beating both Wales and Australia, familiar opponents they have beaten many times in recent years. No expense has been spared in England's preparation and they were at home in both matches. Everything was in England's favour and they should have cashed in."
Woodward guided England to the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003.
Simon Sinclair
