There is no longer any debate about it, there are no ifs or buts – England have to win, or they might as well book themselves rounds on the golf course or go mackerel fishing in Cornwall in the weeks that remain in this tournament.
Should it happen, what will England’s demise mean to the tournament? That’s a good question, for so far this has been one of the best World Cups, with record crowds and an ever increasing buzz as rugby catches the imagination of a discerning English public.
It might be a fair bet that many English people could happily move back to having the newspaper sports pages dominated by Premier League football if their team loses, so maybe neutrals should hold off on the usual England hating and think twice about their desire to see Chris Robshaw’s team blown away.
Whatever it may be though that the bulk of rugby watchers may desire and wish for, there can be no denying that this will be a decisive weekend in the World Cup. Not only England stand to be up the proverbial creek without a paddle if they lose on Saturday, but South Africa too.
