Lancaster defends his bench strategy against France

Lancaster has been criticised for extensive use of his bench in the second half of a thrilling and chaotic Paris showdown with the 62nd-minute departure of the lively Danny Care the biggest subject of debate.

Sir Clive Woodward, one of Lancaster’s predecessors as England head coach, blamed the substitutions for the defeat and stated that the “responsibility falls on the management not the players”.

A defiant Lancaster responded to his critics by declaring it was a disastrous start that saw France establish a 16-3 lead with two tries from Yoann Huget that resulted in the defeat.

“I don’t think the replacements were the reason we lost the game. I was certainly pleased with the impact all the substitutes made,” he said.

“The biggest reason we lost the game was the start more than anything else. To be 16-3 down is one hell of a mountain to climb in that arena.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing in every component piece of the game.

“If we’d have dealt with the kick- off, perhaps we wouldn’t have conceded the first try.

“If Danny Care had been one millimetre further forwards perhaps he would have scored that try. There are lots of ifs, buts and maybes about the game.

“I have to trust the squad and the one thing I’ve learnt is that we win and lose as a team.

“I won’t hang anyone out to dry or look at any decision we made in any other context than what we do next to help the team win.”

A frantic Six Nations opener produced a ball in play statistic of 46 minutes – the figure was 38 minutes against New Zealand last autumn – while Courtney Lawes and Jonny May departed only because of injury

Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell and Tom Wood were struck by cramp in the second half and Lancaster explains it was the demands of the match that led to the unusual number of players being struck by muscle contractions.

“The amount of cramping was a reflection of the game. It was a match played at the highest intensity – the longest in duration in my time,” said Lancaster.

“It’s a significant step up for a lot of players on what they do week in week out at their clubs, or even in Europe.

“It’s something we need to review and look at. If there’s anything we can do to prevent, we’ll do it. But it’s happened to Owen a couple of times. He takes everything that you do for cramp.”

Jonny May was last night passed fit to play at Murrayfield on Saturday, despite breaking his nose against France.

May lasted only eight minutes of the 26-24 defeat in Paris, forcing an early reshuffle of England’s backline.

The Gloucester wing, who has two caps, saw a specialist on Monday afternoon and was passed fit for the Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield.