'Woeful’: Five England Stars Make ‘Worst’ Rugby World Cup XV

Friday, 12 September 2025 at 14:52

byRugby Rucker

After England's disappointing 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign, Eurosport compiled a list of the tournament's worst XV players. England featured prominently, with five players making the cut.

The team's performance was marred by a combination of underwhelming on-field displays and off-field controversies.

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#1. Mike Tindall – “From Bar Brawls to R360 Dreams”

Eurosport noted:
"The England captain’s antics in an Auckland bar – involving a mystery blonde, a possible ex, and a forehead kiss – stole the headlines from the entire group stage.

On the pitch, Tindall was equally uninspiring, leaving little doubt that his international career would conclude in ignominy, perhaps trading rugby for the rocky business of negotiating royal matrimony."

After the tournament:
Tindall retired from international rugby in 2011 but continued at Gloucester until 2014. He has since remained active in media and charity work. Currently, he is spearheading the R360 rugby league, a proposed global franchise competition featuring men’s and women’s teams, with matches planned in cities like London, Tokyo, and Cape Town.

Despite ambitions for a September 2026 launch, the league faces regulatory challenges and skepticism from broadcasters and World Rugby regarding player welfare and commercial viability. Tindall continues to advocate for the league, emphasizing its potential to grow rugby globally.

#2. James Haskell – “Rugby Rebel with a Mic”

"England’s back row struggled throughout, but Haskell, playing out of position, was particularly woeful. Off the field, his alleged comments to a hotel maid added to the team’s distractions, exemplifying how England continually lost focus in New Zealand."

After the tournament:
Haskell continued playing for England until 2016 and became a domestic mainstay with Wasps. Post-retirement, he has built a successful media career, appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and other programs, while also maintaining a strong social media presence.

#3. Courtney Lawes – “Knees, Lions, and French Adventures”

"Lawes would have made the list for his knee to the head of Argentina’s Mario Ledesma alone. There was no excuse for striking a player already being tackled and shoved out of play – and his decision to celebrate with a branded gumshield made it all the more egregious."

After the tournament:
Lawes retired from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, earning 105 caps for England and playing in five British & Irish Lions Tests. In 2024, he joined French club CA Brive in Pro D2, continuing to play at a high level abroad while maintaining ambitions for the 2025 Lions tour.

#4. Ben Youngs – “Passes, Podcasts, and Persistence”

"The injury to Danny Care should have been Youngs’ chance to assert himself as England’s first-choice scrum-half. Instead, he went backwards: hesitant, awkward, and seemingly incapable of delivering a clean pass without a practice swing."

After the tournament:
Youngs continued to play for England until 2023, amassing 127 caps. He retired in 2025 after heart surgery in 2024. Post-retirement, he co-hosts the podcast For The Love of Rugby with Dan Cole, sharing insights and stories from his career.

#5. Matt Stevens – “The Quiet Exit”

"The prop only started thanks to Andrew Sheridan’s injury. Out of his depth throughout, Stevens’ penalties in the quarter-final were pivotal in England’s defeat to France."

After the tournament:
Stevens retired shortly after the 2011 World Cup. He has stayed mostly out of the public eye, working behind the scenes in coaching and business ventures, with occasional media appearances.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup remains a cautionary tale for England: a blend of off-field distractions and underwhelming performances that left fans shaking their heads. Yet for several of the players, the tournament became a turning point—whether as a stepping stone to redemption, a new venture, or the conclusion of a distinguished career.