Neil Fissler talks to Peter Winterbottom about the lasting effects of the 1987 World Cup

ENGLAND badly needed a kick up the backside in the mid-80s and their failure at the firstever World Cup in Australia and New Zealand had the desired effect. The RFU were one of the last unions to sign off on plans for the competition and did not buy into the concept until they hosted the second tournament four years later. Indeed, they needed to be dragged kicking and screaming into making the changes that were needed for English rugby to become competitive.
Flanker Peter Winterbottom, right, admits t...