Rugby World Cup: England’s other sporting World Cup disasters

England players including Chris Robshaw (second right) look dejected

A 33-13 Pool A defeat to Australia at Twickenham spelled curtains for England who can finish no better than third in the group.

But it’s not the first disaster to strike England in group stages of the World Cup, here are four more tales of tournament woe.

2014 Football World Cup: England go out in group stages.

England went to Brazil with no great hope and a distinct lack of tub thumping back home. With justification.

Roy Hodgson’s side lost 2-1 to both Italy and Uruguay and drew 0-0 with Costa Rica. Bottom of group.

2003 Cricket World Cup: England go out in group stages

England didn’t turn up for the Pool A game against Zimbabwe in Harare in protest at the Zimbabwe regime.

The Africans enjoyed a walkover, England finished fourth in the pool were out.

1999 Cricket World Cup: England go out in group stages.

Pool A again proved a curse as England staged the tournamemt.

England won three matches but Zimbabwe finished above them in table and the hosts were out.

1950 Football World Cup: England lose to USA.

England went to Brazil as kings of the game but the United States proved otherwise as their part-timers (one player was actually a hearse driver) defeated England 1–0 in Belo Horizonte.

The England team fielded players of the calibre of Alf Ramsey, Billy Wright, Wilf Mannion, Tom Finney and Stan Mortensen yet still could not beat the Americans.