Wednesday 22 July 2015 17:53, UK
RFU chairman Bill Beaumont believes Stuart Lancaster is doing "a tremendous job" and is adamant he remains the right man to lead England into the World Cup.
Lancaster took over after a turbulent 2011 World Cup campaign which was marred by off-field indiscipline and unconvincing displays and ended with a quarter-final defeat to France.
England’s failure to win a Six Nations title since then is cause for concern in some quarters heading into the World Cup, but Beaumont believes Lancaster has given the team an identity and is confident England are progressing.
"People will look at the Six Nations (this year) and be disappointed we didn't win but that does not deter from the fact we are going in the right direction," Beaumont said.
"He is contracted until 2020 and like everyone in England we want him to succeed. It's up to us to give him as many tools as we can he can succeed with.
"I think he's done a tremendous job when you think four years ago we were in a difficult situation. I think he has given the team a real identity.
"You need a bit of luck and everyone is right behind him. If he can play his strongest hand we have a chance."
England face Fiji, Wales, Australia and Uruguay in the World Cup’s so-called “Group of Death” after a warm-up game against Ireland and a double-header against France.
With only two teams qualifying from the group, the games with Wales and Australia loom large on the calendar but Beaumont has warned of the danger of underestimating Fiji, the opposition in England’s opening World Cup game on September 18.
Beaumont said: "The biggest danger is your first game, Fiji. I remember being in France in 2007 when France thought they would breeze past Argentina in the opening game and Argentina beat them. Stuart will be concentrating on one game: 'Let's beat Fiji.'
"To get out of the pool I think it's going to be hard, but it'll also be hard for the other teams. We can't ignore Fiji; we can't think it'll be a three-horse race between England, Wales and Australia. Fiji will have a say.
"I would like to think we could get out of the pool and if we can do that there's no reason we can't go all the way.
"When the draw was made no one thought it would be a breeze, I don't think anyone in the England camp are expecting anything other than tough games.
"Once you are out of the pool and into knockout rugby we normally do quite well."
