Rugby review 2019: England thrilled fans in Japan… but now it’s Bok to the drawing board after final defeat

ENGLAND delivered their greatest performance at the World Cup — then tanked in the final during a rollercoaster year. Japan 2019, which dominated the last 12 months of rugby, will forever be remembered for the most sensational England semi-final slaughtering of New Zealand. Some 6,000 miles away back home, the country was going rugby crazy […]

ENGLAND delivered their greatest performance at the World Cup — then tanked in the final during a rollercoaster year.

Japan 2019, which dominated the last 12 months of rugby, will forever be remembered for the most sensational England semi-final slaughtering of New Zealand.

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Some 6,000 miles away back home, the country was going rugby crazy after a summer of cricketing genius saw their countrymen lift their own World Cup for the first time.

Captain fantastic Owen Farrell and his team-mates were just 80 minutes from repeating the 2003 Red Rose heroics and joining Saracens fan Eoin Morgan and his cricketers in the 2019 gold rush.

But Eddie Jones’ side flopped in the final in Yokohama last month in heartbreaking fashion — as everything that could go wrong, did, against South Africa.

Star tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler’s brutal knockout, which forced him off after just two minutes, rocked England.

They never recovered and inspirational Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi led his nation to their third Webb Ellis Cup.

Boss Jones tinkered with his team all the way through the tournament, but did not twist after the legendary All Blacks win for the final — and later admitted that he blundered.

The Aussie, who is currently in talks over extending his two-year contract through to France 2023, said: “I accept that I made two selection mistakes for the final. I should have chosen Joe Marler ahead of Mako Vunipola at loosehead prop and reverted to the Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade midfield we used against Australia.

“George Ford could have come off the bench when we had got into the game. But you never know until the game starts.

“You use the best available evidence and rely on your gut.”

England had got lucky earlier in the tournament when the devastation caused by Typhoon Hagibis saw their final group game against France cancelled.

They topped their pool, then had 15 days between games — before beating Australia in the quarter- finals.

The effects of Hagibis and its 160mph winds that devastated communities and left 74 dead are still being felt over in Asia.

In the sporting world, the legacy of the competition will take some beating thanks to hosts Japan and their incredible Brave Blossoms, who reached the quarter-finals.

While that legacy was being built, another was being destroyed in England.

Saracens had won the Champions Cup for the third time and then added another Premiership title, their fourth in five years and fifth in total.

But all the while they had been under investigation for breaching the strict salary cap rules.

SARACENS IN DOCK

Just a day after England had returned from Japan, Premiership Rugby announced a record £5.3million fine and 35-point deduction was Sarries’ punishment for cheating over the past three years.

Multi-millionaire chairman Nigel Wray vowed to fight the punishment and show their innocence, but after two weeks, decided that they would have to suck up their punishment and battle to safety.

With England stars Farrell, Billy and Mako Vunipola, Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly and George Kruis among their ranks, they face a huge 2020 to try to save their top-flight status.

Already the likes of troubled Bath, Wasps and Leicester Tigers are looking over their shoulders with Sarries making their charge from near oblivion.

Wales, too, tainted their own success in 2019 after winning the Six Nations Grand Slam.

Rob Howley was sent home from the World Cup in disgrace after the Welsh Rugby Union brought charges against Warren Gatland’s No  2 for breaching betting rules.

Just this month, Howley was banned for 18 months, with nine of those suspended, after the 49-year-old admitted placing 363 bets on rugby union, featuring 1,163 matches in total — including wagers on Wales’ first-try scorers.

Previously seen as a successor to Lions-bound Gatland, and linked with a job at Six Nations rivals Italy, Howley’s coaching days now look numbered.

Wales fans will expect new boss Wayne Pivac to carry on where Gatland left off, too, and deliver another Six Nations crown.

Following on from the Dragons’ most-successful boss could end up being a poisoned chalice — unless the latest Kiwi coach gets it right.

England Women won their 15th Six Nations crown and their 14th Grand Slam but they will want some serious challengers in future.

And for the men, next year could be the most open Six Nations in decades following changes at Wales and Ireland.

Though do not bet against wily Jones pulling off his third tournament win in five years.