England
England have long been seen as under achieving in the international stakes, at least up until the late 1980s as the team grew in stature, culminating in breaking the dominance of the southern hemisphere sides by winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
This also saw the side move to No.1 in the world rankings during 2002.
Disappointments along the way however, have included letting slip the Five/Six Nations championships in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and the 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign came to a halt at the quarter-final stage with a defeat to South Africa in Paris.
Since winning the 2003 World Cup, England have lost many of their key players due to retirement. The inspirational captain Martin Johnson, being the most notable.
England finished a disappointing 4th in the 2006 Six Nations, 3rd in 2007 and 2nd in 2008 and again in 2009. During the 2007 World Cup England performed admirably, reaching the final but eventually losing 15-6 to South Africa.
England finished in 3rd place in the 2010 Six Nations.
This also saw the side move to No.1 in the world rankings during 2002.
Disappointments along the way however, have included letting slip the Five/Six Nations championships in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and the 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign came to a halt at the quarter-final stage with a defeat to South Africa in Paris.
Since winning the 2003 World Cup, England have lost many of their key players due to retirement. The inspirational captain Martin Johnson, being the most notable.
England finished a disappointing 4th in the 2006 Six Nations, 3rd in 2007 and 2nd in 2008 and again in 2009. During the 2007 World Cup England performed admirably, reaching the final but eventually losing 15-6 to South Africa.
England finished in 3rd place in the 2010 Six Nations.
