Rugby World Cup 2019: Success for England is winning the tournament – Robinson

England will consider anything less than winning the Rugby World Cup as a failure, according to former world champion Jason Robinson.

Eddie Jones’ side meet Australia in a quarter-final showdown in Oita on Saturday, having finished top of Pool C.

The Wallabies’ 33-13 win at Twickenham four years ago dumped England out of their home World Cup in the pool stage, but Jones, who took over from Stuart Lancaster following that tournament, has overseen six straight wins over Australia since.

England looked in impressive form throughout their Pool C campaign, cruising to victories over Tonga, the United States and Argentina before their final match against France was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.

Beating Australia would see England face Ireland or holders New Zealand for a place in the final, and Robinson – a World Cup winner in 2003 – does not believe Jones’ team can be content with anything short of becoming champions.

“Jones has done a great job – he’s transformed them in a lot of ways,” said Robinson, speaking to Omnisport on behalf of Land Rover, Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019.

“England will want to win the World Cup, it’s as simple as this.

“Getting beat in a semi or the quarters, it will all be seen as a failure if we don’t win the World Cup. England are such in world rugby that second place isn’t an achievement.

I like the look of this @EnglandRugby team to take on the @wallabies. Saturday can’t come quick enough!!! @rugbyworldcup #EngvAus #QtrFinal pic.twitter.com/34Wr968K3z

— Jason Robinson OBE (@Jason15Robinson) October 17, 2019

“Sometimes, in sports like football, you can celebrate getting into a semi-final, but it’s England – we’re the biggest rugby nation in the world.

“The guys have not turned up to get beaten in a semi or even the final. Success is winning the thing.

“There’s no givens. [Jones] has taken the team forward in many different ways over the last four years and should be commended.

“But World Cups are all about winning, you can talk about finals as much as you want but you’re either a winner or a loser. The only medals I get out are not the runner up ones.”

However, Robinson conceded claiming a second World Cup title would be no mean feat against some of the sport’s greatest sides. 

“If you’re going to win this tournament, play Australia in the quarters, maybe New Zealand in the semis and potentially Wales or South Africa in a final,” he added.

“There’s no easy way to the final, you still have to beat the big teams. If England are to win, they’ll have certainly earned it.”

Land Rover is the official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019.  With over 20 years of heritage supporting rugby at all levels, Land Rover is celebrating what makes rugby, rugby. #LandRoverRugby

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta