2003 Rugby World Cup‑winning coach, Sir Clive Woodward says England's current squad are nowhere near fit enough to compete with the southern hemisphere giants.
England opened their Six Nations campaign with a 15‑9 victory over Scotland which was Coach Eddie Jones first game in charge and will take on Italy in Rome tomorrow.
Woodward, who guided England to World Cup glory against Jones Wallabies side in 2003, wrote that he did not know whether to laugh or cry when England coach Eddie Jones and his defence man Paul Gustard both insisted this week that England were not fit enough.
He says this was not new to him and adds his 2003 team were coached and selected on the basis of being 'the fastest and fittest team in world rugby.
He adds in recent years there has been a total misunderstanding of what is physically required to be the No.1 team in the world.
Woodward adds England has not just been standing still but they have been going backwards for the last 13 years.
Meanwhile, in the Six Nations competition this morning, France beat Ireland 10-9 while Wales beat Scotland 27-23.
Source: Sky Sports
