Stuart Lancaster "sorry" for premature England exit at Rugby World Cup

England coach Stuart Lancaster has apologised to the nation following his side's exit from the Rugby World Cup.

The Red Rose became the first host nation in the history of the competition to fail to progress beyond the group stage as Lancaster's men fell to a 33-13 defeat to Australia at Twickenham.

Lancaster told ITV Sport: "I'm gutted. Gutted for all the fans and everybody at home and I don't know what to say really because everybody's put so much effort in and the support's been fantastic but I'm sorry we're not going any further.

"There's some fantastic young players in that England team. There's 24 players playing in their first World Cup and it's going to hurt so badly but they'll be a good team and I want the country to stay behind the lads because they're good lads."

England still have their final Pool A game to play against Uruguay at the Etihad Stadium next week.