The English RFU spent millions and millions on ensuring their team would go far at the World Cup. Ultimately, the hosts were one of the first sides eliminated.
The press had a field day after their team went out at the group stages.
South Africa moved into England’s Pennyhill Park training HQ for their quarter final clash and, with access open to journalists, a real insight into Stuart Lancaster’s set-up emerged.
One of the stand-out stories came from the prominent placement of an Arnold Scharzenegger quote:
‘Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.’
New England boss Eddie Jones is quickly putting his stamp on his team. One of his first acts was to get that quote power-washed off the wall.
“I am not a big fan of his movies,” Jones told reporters, “so he definitely won’t be up there.
“We are starting afresh. In a lot of ways we have put a new coat of paint on the place. The hotel is a nice five-star but once they step into the training centre, it is about business.”
