Flashback: England crash out of Rugby World Cup at group stage on this day in 2015

England made history on October 3, 2015 by becoming the first host nation to be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup at the group stage.
Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood (C) of England react as Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates scoring their first try with team mates during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images).Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood (C) of England react as Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates scoring their first try with team mates during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images).
Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood (C) of England react as Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates scoring their first try with team mates during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images).

A 33-13 thumping by Australia at Twickenham meant that Stuart Lancaster’s side bowed out of the tournament with one group game still to play.

A defeat to Wales in their previous match meant that victory was the only option for the hosts, who had reached the quarter-finals four years earlier.

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But they were completely overrun by the Wallabies, with Bernard Foley scoring two first-half tries.

Anthony Watson crossed the line in the second half to give England hope, but there was to be no comeback and they went out with a whimper.

They beat Uruguay 60-3 in their final match, but there was no consolation.

New Zealand went on to win the tournament, with Australia finishing runners-up, while Lancaster resigned from his position six weeks later.

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