Graham Henry has slammed the England set up for not making the most of its players' potential.

The World Cup-winning coach questioned England's use of their top players and also the team's style of play.

"A country with over a million players should be the best team in the world and England's potential in the backs is as good as it has ever been," Henry said.

"How frustrated those players must get in a white shirt. England and the English clubs play a game based on fear and a generation of promising backs are dying on their feet.

"England has top-draw attacking players but they are seldom used. It sometimes seems that England are world champions at wasting talent."

Henry stood down as All Blacks coach after leading them to their first World Cup in 24 years last October.