#3. Jonny Wilkinson vs France (2011)
Now we cast our mind back to 2011 when England was dumped out 19-12in the quarter-finals against France. It was a tournament too far for Wilkinson, who received considerable criticism after the game.
Paul Ackford of the Telegraph rated Wilkinson’s performance a 3/10 and commented: “His touch and confidence have both gone. Almost a liability now.”
His pool stage performances compounded the misery with the once world-class kicker converting just 45% of his kicks at goal. Not the swansong he deserved.
Wilkinson later saud in his autobiography that the match balls were a “joke” due to their inconsistent movement – something that could not be blamed on the weather as England played three of their pool games in the enclosed Otago Stadium.
#4. Andy Farrell vs South Africa 2007
England may have reached the final in 2007, but the pool stage included an embarrassing 36-0 defeat for the reigning champions against the Springboks.
Picking out one poor individual is a tough ask but we’re going with former Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell. The goalkicker on the day took nothing but kickoffs in a very poor all-around display.
Unfortunately, he never produced the performances for the England union side for which many had hoped, and ultimately he won only eight caps.