English rugby's search for "meaningful answers following the team's World Cup group-stage exit may never get off the ground" as reports emerge that players are "reluctant to cooperate against an increasingly febrile backdrop of recriminations," according to Simon Jennings of REUTERS. Anger and disappointment "remain palpable in England following the hosts' humiliating 33-13 loss to Australia at Twickenham." That defeat "condemned them to a first group-stage exit," prompting calls for a "review into the debacle" and for coach Stuart Lancaster to be replaced. Rugby Football Union CEO Ian Ritchie will lead the probe. He said, "It (the review) needs to be comprehensive and we need to look at what we need to do to do better." Among the issues expected to be examined are: "the elevation of rugby league convert Sam Burgess into the squad at the expense of Luther Burrell; the balance of power between Lancaster and his assistant coaches;" and the clampdown on players' commercial opportunities "versus national team sponsorship obligations." A similar process following England's '11 quarterfinal defeat in New Zealand "pointed the finger at a number of senior players, and called their commitment into question." That report "was leaked to the British media, creating a legacy of mistrust and resentment." British media on Wednesday said that players were "wary of providing even anonymous feedback this time." The London Telegraph quoted one source close to the squad as saying, "There is likely to be some critical feedback. I am not sure many of them will trust that it will be an anonymous survey. So I think they will be guarded in what they say, or just not take part" (REUTERS, 10/7).
HEADPHONE CONTROVERSY: In London, Gavin Mairs reported the fall-out from England's "disastrous" RWC has intensified after it emerged that players "were unhappy with several aspects" of the RFU's commercial commitments. The decision to ban players from writing columns while they "had to make themselves available for a number of media opportunities for the RFU’s sponsors in the build up to the tournament" was described last night by one source as "over-zealous" in comparison to other nations in the tournament. Another frustration was that the players were told that they could "only wear headphones made by one of the RFU’s sponsors, Samsung, when travelling to games following a deal struck last October." Another source said, "It may seem like a small thing but some of the guys owned 'Beats by Dr Dre' headphones but they were told they could not wear them when they got off the bus and walked to the changing rooms as part of their pre-match routine. The RFU were that sensitive to Samsung at that micro level but it was an issue with some of the players. A lot of them had their own headphones but couldn't use them" (TELEGRAPH, 10/7). In London, Jack de Menezes wrote Robshaw is at the center of a row after he was involved in a commercial campaign for Beats by Dre headphones. While the RFU is "not able to prevent players from taking part in commercial activities outside of their time with the national set-up," the commercial department is believed to have been "outraged" by Robshaw's appearance in "Beats by Dre" adverts throughout the World Cup (INDEPENDENT, 10/7).
SLASHING PRICES: In London, Edward Curwen reported the price of replica shirts "has been slashed by the England Rugby Store as the impact of the host nation’s early exit from the World Cup continues to be felt." A "pro" replica England World Cup shirt, similar to that worn by players during the competition, used to cost £70 ($107). After the team's "fate was sealed," supports can "console themselves by picking up the shirt" for the "bargain price" of £42 ($64), a 40% discount. The "commemorative" Test shirt, which is "identical to that worn by the players," has dropped in price from £120 ($184) to £72 ($110) while the price of a child's shirt has fallen from £50 ($77) to £30 ($46) (LONDON TIMES, 10/7).
