ENGLAND head off to the Rugby World Cup in France in tatters after a shambolic summer warm-up series ended in ignominious defeat to Fiji here yesterday.
It was England’s first Test defeat to Fiji in their history – a new low plumbed for a side which, under Steve Borthwick, looks lost.
It was their sixth defeat in nine matches under their floundering head coach and one which leaves England’s supporters shaking their heads in despair.
Suspensions, injuries and now this…what a fiasco.
As the small but vocal Fijian contingent danced and sang in acclamation of their valiant heroes, there was no booing from the English majority in the 56,854 crowd – just silent resignation.
Their rugby team have fallen so far this defeat hardly seemed to register as a shock.
England No.8 Ben Earl said: “We are low. We all want to win and we know the pressure that comes with playing for England and that anything but a win is not good enough. That’s amplified today and has been snowballing over the last couple of weeks.
This story is from the August 27, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
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This story is from the August 27, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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