Gomarsall wants 'fortress' Twickenham back

england

Both New Zealand and South Africa have beaten England on their own patch during the November internationals, with Australia next up this weekend.

The defeats have provided a worrying omen ahead of the World Cup in England next year.

Gomarsall - part of England's 2003 World Cup winning squad - has not been impressed with the current crop's performances so far and has called for an improved showing against the Wallabies to make Twickenham feared ground once again.

"There's a lot of excitement about the future, but it's not about the future, 2015 is less than a year away," Gomarsall told Perform.

"It's about delivering results and not performances, you don’t necessarily win a World Cup on performances, it's about winning every single game.

"During our successful era we did make Twickenham a fortress, people feared going to play us there.

"We just don't look like that [now]. Teams, particularly the Southern Hemisphere teams, don't fear coming to Twickenham.

"They guys have got to step it up, Stuart Lancaster has got to get his combinations right.

"There's plenty of players there and when you get an opportunity you've got to take it."

One player Gomarsall believes should be part of England's squad in 2015 is Bath's cross-code star Sam Burgess, but the former rugby league player needs to prove his ability - as well as his fitness - before receiving the call.

"I'm very excited to see him play," Gomarsall added. "I think he could be one of those players who's clearly got it [talent], you need these people in your squad to win the World Cup.

"I would fast track him to get him in that squad. [But] he's got to play first.

"He's a phenomenal talent and I'm looking forward to seeing him play. I think it's going to be back row, I can't see him in the centre, but in time he could make a 12."

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