Chris Ashton expects 'big change' after South Africa loss - 'Who knows where the future lies for England?'
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Updated 22/10/2023 at 16:13 GMT+1
TNT Sports pundit Chris Ashton thinks England's agonising defeat against South Africa could usher in a new era and said he expects to see "big changes" in Steve Borthwick's squad going forward. England came within a couple of minutes of getting to the Rugby World Cup final but were denied by the boot of Handre Pollard as the Springboks came from behind to win 16-15.
'Going to see a lot of change in the squad' - Experts discuss England future
Chris Ashton has said he expects to see a “big change” in the England squad going forward following their last-gasp defeat to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Steve Borthwick’s side dominated the Springboks for the best part of 70 minutes on a rainy night in Paris until the world champions found a way to win in the closing minutes and set up a mouth-watering final against New Zealand.
And with a number of players in their 30s, Ashton thinks it could signal the end of the road in the World Cup for some English stalwarts.
“The game was so intense, there were virtually no passes in the game whatsoever,” Ashton said, live on TNT Sports. “It was just kick to kick but because it was so intense no-one was really bothered, I know I wasn’t, I was just sat at home loving every second of it.
“I just didn't know which way I was going to. For the last two minutes to go the way it did and now I think we're going to see a big change with the squad, we’ve probably seen a lot of lads who have played their last game this weekend, so who knows where the future lies for England.”
Few gave England a chance ahead of the semi-finals given their form coming into the tournament and their route to the last four.
But Borthwick’s charges came out the blocks firing and were within two-and-a-half minutes of pulling off a famous upset.
“That’s the World Cup for you,” Ashton added. “It doesn't really matter, form doesn't mean anything. I mean, look at England.
“Another two minutes there and they might have been in the final considering where they were before the tournament, winning no games.”
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Highlights as South Africa beat England in semi-finals of Rugby World Cup
Instead, the final will showcase the two most successful rugby nations in history as the All Blacks and the Springboks go toe-to-toe.
Like England, Ian Foster’s New Zealand weren’t fancied before a ball was kicked but Ashton thinks they are now the favourite to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.
“World Cups are very different, everybody's got a game in them,” the former England international said. “New Zealand have turned things around and now I’d say they look like the favourites all of a sudden, because they've been so good for the tournament.
“They’ve beaten Ireland and it’s going to be a hell of a final next week.”
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