Sunday 16 November 2014 14:23, UK
Flanker Tom Wood believes England are heading in the right direction despite slipping to a fifth successive defeat in Saturday's 31-28 setback against South Africa.
Saturday’s three-point defeat to the Springboks somewhat flattered Stuart Lancaster’s men who were handed a second defeat in as many weeks by the world’s leading test sides.
With just 10 matches remaining before England kick off next summer’s World Cup against Fiji at Twickenham, concerns are beginning to mount over their capabilities of becoming the third nation to win the Webb Ellis trophy on home soil.
The two sides to have claimed international rugby’s biggest prize in front of a home crowd are the two sides to have inflicted England’s dismal recent form, with the All Blacks and South Africa ensuring their last victory was March’s 52-11 mauling of the Italian’s in Rome.
With questions are being asked of Lancaster’s team selection and tactics, and the dwindling levels of self-belief in the squad, Lancaster defiantly responded "we'll not panic nor lose our nerve nor deviate from the course we're on" - a message which is shared by Wood.
"It's not the end of the world. It's disappointing to lose in an England shirt and you never want to accept that, particularly at home," the Northampton flanker said.
"But the fact we have lost by two really close margins in two really competitive games against the two best teams in the world doesn't mean it's back to the drawing board and that everyone is on suicide watch.
"We have to keep our heads high and keep believing in what we are trying to implement. We understand we will come under a lot of pressure now. The heat is going to come on from the rugby media and the rugby public.
"Everyone now relates everything to the World Cup, but all we can do is stay tight as a group and keep plugging on."
Wood described the disappointment felt within the squad following Saturday's defeat - a defeat which saw them claw themselves back in to game all to relinquish the advantage to the Springboks and consigned themseleves to an eleventh game without victory against Saturday's visitors.
And with next weekend's clash against Samoa providing England with the perfect opportunity for the long-awaited victory, Wood produce a damning assessment of their latest defeat - highlighting the areas where improvement is needed.
"We haven't had the real clarity and composure we needed at certain times. That's what we're not doing at the moment," Wood added.
"The All Blacks and the South Africans come with big reputations and our forward pack has rolled them at times, but we need to put ourselves in the right area of the field.
"At certain times they have turned the heat up on us and unfortunately we have been found wanting. It's all very well having the ball but if you are not going anywhere with it and if you are just in the midfield you are playing into their hands. It was another harsh lesson.
"We gave them an intercept try which in a three-point game is pretty criminal. I don't hold Danny accountable for that at all. We were just meandering in midfield. We shot ourselves in the foot with that one.”
