Former England captain Will Carling has admitted that "it was painful to watch" Stuart Lancaster's side thrashed by Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.
Wales retained the Six Nations title with the 30-3 victory over England, with Carling claiming that they were "taught some sobering lessons".
"I have never seen a full-strength England side dismantled like this in the 25 years since I made my own international debut. This was a good old-fashioned drubbing," he told The Sun.
"And it was harder to take because no one could possibly have seen it coming, not a defeat of such massive proportions. This was an England team that had won four out of four in the Six Nations after giving the All Blacks a good thrashing.
"It was painful to watch, and England have been taught some sobering lessons. The main lesson to take on board is that we have to stop going into games thinking defence is the overwhelming priority."
Carling made 72 appearances for England.
Matt Law
