Stuart Lancaster dismisses crisis talk

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has played down the significance of losing their fifth successive international at the weekend, insisting that his team are not in crisis.

Lancaster's side went down 28-31 at Twickenham on Saturday as England remain winless since a 52-11 Six Nations win away to Italy back in March.

There are only 10 games left before the English host next year's rugby World Cup, and the 45-year-old has dismissed the notion that their recent results indicate a bigger issue in the team.

Asked whether his troops were suffering as a result of their form, he told Sky Sports News: "I don't think that's true at all. If you say that, you're talking about a team that has no belief in what they're doing, has no sense of direction.

"You're talking about a group of players who are not aligned with what you're trying to do, not agreeing with where you're going and have poor discipline on and off the field.

"That's a team in crisis. For me at the moment, I don't see any of those traits in this England team."

England face Samoa in their third autumn Test international at the weekend.