England duo Jonny May and Andy Farrell reject claims by Will Carling
Monday 28 September 2015 22:51, UK
England winger Jonny May and assistant coach Andy Farrell have rejected the assertion that Stuart Lancaster treats his players as "schoolboys."
Former captain Will Carling was highly critical of current skipper Chris Robshaw for electing to go for an attacking line-out minutes from the end of their 28-25 Rugby World Cup defeat by Wales on Saturday.
Giving Owen Farrell the chance to kick a tough penalty from close to the touchline instead would have presented England with the opportunity to draw the game at Twickenham.
But the decision was made to kick for the corner and Carling blamed Lancaster's management of style.
"I got the sense that England were panicking. I don't blame Chris as much as I blame others," Carling told BBC Radio Five Live.
"I've listened to [head coach] Stuart Lancaster say for years that 'I don't have the leaders and therefore we're having to make all the decisions as coaches'. It's a very classroom-orientated environment."
"What we watched in the last 10 minutes was a confused debate between people who have never been given responsibility to lead and drive the team. Instead, we've treated them as schoolboys."
May, who scored England's only try in the first half, said it was "unfair" to brand Lancaster and his management team as schoolteachers.
"The coaching team is the best I have ever had in my life," he said.
"I could not have learned more in this environment, it is brilliant.
"This environment is player-led. We sit down and present to one another. We get input in training. They come to us in terms of moves. It is a much player-led environment than I am used to."
Farrell added: "It is disappointing from someone who is not in the environment. I have been involved in many environments and this is as good as I have ever seen. It allows them to express themselves as leaders and as players."
