Borth's world of tiers

EARL ADMITS 'WE ARE LOW... AFTER FIRST LOSS EVER TO SECOND-RANK NATION IN FINAL WARM-UP FIASCO FOR WORLD CUP

- NEIL SQUIRES

England 22 Fiji 30 

ENGLAND head to the World Cup in France in tatters, after their shambolic summer warm-up series ended in ignominious defeat.

It was England's first Test loss to Fiji in their history a new low plumbed for a side which, under Steve Borthwick (right), looks lost.

It was their sixth defeat in nine matches for their floundering head coach, and one which sends them across the Channel for the tournament with England supporters shaking their heads in despair.

Suspensions, injuries and now this... what a fiasco.

Beleaguered Borthwick said: "We made too many mistakes. We gave them too many opportunities, slipped off too many tackles - that was very apparent. Today has pointed out a couple of areas we need to address.

"But I've been involved in other England teams before that have come apart under adversity. What I sense here is a group that has come even tighter together."