Warren Gatland Slams RWC Bosses Over Group A

Wales coach Warren Gatland has blasted Rugby World Cup organisers for creating a “group of hell” that has seen tournament hosts England exit the tournament before the quarter finals.

Australia sent England tumbling into the Rugby World Cup abyss on 3 October, when they demolished the hosts 33-13 at Twickenham, to ensure the 2003 champions would take no further part in their own tournament after the pool stage.

Wales and Australia will now do battle for the top of Pool A – dubbed the group of death because it included three of the top-ranked sides in he world. Expressing sympathy for Lancaster, he said: “For what he has done when he took over the job in terms of the discipline he has ­instilled in that side and how his players conduct themselves, I have a huge amount of respect”