BEN MORGAN and Jonny May will be returning to club rugby with Gloucester after England crashed out of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.

May was replaced at half-time after picking up a knock and Morgan came off in the second half of the 33-13 defeat at Twickenham to Australia which meant that, after losing to Wales the previous Saturday, there is no chance of England qualifying for the knockout stages, the first time a host country has failed to make it out of a group in the eight previous Rugby World Cup tournaments.

The big number eight was about the best of England’s back row but the Australian pack was far superior at the scrums and had a match-winner behind in fly half Bernard Foley.

Now the inquests into England’s exit are beginning, with former players and coaches, such as Sir Clive Woodward, saying there are ‘no excuses’ for the failure.

“In the final analysis we simply haven’t been good enough, on or off the field, at this World Cup and the way forward will be just that little bit easier if we admit that straight away,” said Sir Clive.

The Rugby Football Union have also said there will be no quick decisions about the future of head coach Stuart Lancaster or any other matter concerning the exit.

Chief executive Ian Ritchie said, on englandrugby.com: “I would like to stress there will be no hasty reaction to England’s performance in this World Cup.”

England now face a dead rubber against group minnows Uruguay in Manchester on Saturday before the team disperse and get ready for the new Aviva Premiership league campaign which kicks off this coming weekend.

THERE will be at least two Cherry and White representatives in the quarter finals, with James Hook and Ross Moriarty part of the Welsh squad who have won all three of their Pool A games and face Australia on Saturday.

But there were defeats for Greig Laidlaw in Scottish colours, and Sione Kalamafoni and David Halaifonua for Tonga as the tournament gathered pace into the final week of pool play ahead of the final pool stage game between USA and Japan at Kingsholm Stadium this Sunday evening (ko 8pm).