Andy Farrell has urged England to “batten down the hatches” inside and outside the camp in preparation for their World Cup decider against Australia on Saturday, issuing a rallying cry and dismissing stinging criticism from a former captain, Will Carling, who believes Stuart Lancaster treats his players like schoolboys.
England’s Pool A fixture against the Wallabies is now a must-win match following the 28-25 defeat by Wales. That result prompted Carling to question Lancaster’s team selection and slate Chris Robshaw’s decision to opt for an attacking lineout in the closing stages when a penalty would have levelled the scores.
Lancaster on Monday called up Nick Easter to his squad after Billy Vunipola was ruled out of the tournament with a knee-ligament injury sustained against Wales. Easter, a No8, is in contention to start on Saturday given Ben Morgan’s knee problems.
Farrell, the England backs coach, said Carling’s criticism was disappointing and a number of players voiced their scathing disapproval at his comments. The former England captain blamed the defeat and Robshaw’s late tactics on a “classroom-orientated environment”, saying the players were being treated as “schoolboys”.
Farrell responded: “It’s disappointing, especially from someone who has not been in the environment. I’ve been involved in many environments as a player and as a coach. This environment is as good an environment as I’ve seen. It allows players to express themselves and get better as players and leaders. I don’t buy into that [criticism] whatsoever.
“It makes it easier to batten down the hatches. It is what it is. It’s disappointing, we need everyone behind us this week. You guys, the whole of the nation, the crowd. We need to batten down the hatches if we can.
“Let’s go for it, we’re English aren’t we? We’re English, that’s what I’d like to see. Do we all want to do well in this competition? Do we know what’s at stake this weekend? Of course we do. Let’s get behind the team, everyone, let’s help them. Let’s get a feelgood factor throughout the country and let’s do this together.”
Carling had said: “My view is that he [Lancaster] has had leaders and that he needed to have trusted them and develop them. 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.”
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