Lawrence Dallaglio: RFU ‘living in cloud cuckoo land’ following England’s ‘disappointing’ Six Nations

The RFU have defended Jones and the side’s results and performances, saying: “we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made during this Six Nations.”

Several established figures have come out and criticised the governing body for that statement, including Ugo Monye and Sam Warburton, and Dallaglio is the latest to be baffled by their, and Jones’, stance.

“He (Jones) has tried to paint the rosiest of pictures, but it’s a disappointing campaign for England,” he told the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast.

“If it hadn’t been for Italy’s victory (over Wales), England would have probably finished lower down the table. It is another losing campaign that didn’t start well and didn’t finish well.

“There are some serious fault lines in that team and that squad and anyone who doesn’t think there is, is living in cloud cuckoo land.”

England showed plenty of heart, particularly in their defeat to Ireland, and caused a few problems for Grand Slam winners France, but they are currently way off those teams.

Despite finishing in third, they ended 11 points behind the Irish in the table and Dallaglio is struggling to see what Jones is currently trying to do with the side.

“To score only two tries in three games and generally play the way they have played, fans have got every right to ask the question,” he added.

“We have heard in an RFU statement, no name to it as usual, they think this England team is making solid progress and they were suggesting that Eddie is building a new team against their clear strategy. I would argue I haven’t seen a hugely clear strategy.

“Eddie seems to think that they are only three per cent off where they need to be. I was never good at maths, but I know they’re a long way away from being three per