Why did England have such a poor rugby world cup?

Not having won anything of significance for several years, England, its supporters and its press had a rather inflated view of how good they were. They have good players but none who would make it into a world rugby team. Their players are a few percent short of being 100% world class. This shortfall was cruelly exposed by Wales and especially by Australia.

Ludicrous selection. Going into the tournament without at least 5 top line players because of idiotic moralising meant England were playing with one arm tied behind them.

No Armitage (not picked because he plays abroad) meant they had no real open side flanker. Burrell left out in favour of Burgess? Idiotic. Tuilagi ignored because he'd been a naughty boy. But the biggest self inflicted kick in the head? Ignoring Cipriani. The guy gets a few minutes as a replacement. Scores tries and can turn a game in an instant. Then ignored.

They were just in a brutal pool. If you look at the world rankings prior to that start of the RWC three of the top five teams all ended up in the same pool. If you consider Fiji the pool has four of the top ten ranked teams.

With only two teams qualifying there was always going to be one very good team not making it to the quarter finals out of that pool.

Complacency

I think they cracked under the pressure of being hosts and one of ghe favourites.

they lacked the toughness of some .

lack of black boys