One newspaper Down Under has responded to the latest Zurich World Rankings by launching a scathing attack on Clive Woodward's England side.

The Daily Telegraph rubbished the latest rankings that have England second to New Zealand and the Australia in third.

Its editorial boldly declares, "England have never won a Test in Australia, were beaten by France in this year's Six Nations and fell to Ireland the previous season in the search for an elusive European grand slam.

In another swipe, this time at the English rugby press the newspaper continues, "despite the drum-beating from Clive Woodward and his band of fawning disciples in the British media, the fact is the Poms remain the great under-achievers of international rugby union.

"Yet in the latest world rankings issued this week, in the UK of course, the mighty men of the red rose stand at No.2, behind only the All Blacks. Even more laughable, grand slam winners France are no higher than fifth."

The newspaper surprisingly however accepts that the Wallabies are not the best side in the world yet but points a finger towards this year's Tri Nations for a real test.

The paper goes onto ask, "How do you pop the Poms into second? France have been the kings of Europe over the past 12 months. They won eight successive Test matches, adding an unbeaten run through the Six Nations to victories over Australia and South Africa late last year. Anyone with a remote knowledge of the game also knows France's completed southern hemisphere tour was purely an experimental visit."

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TOP 20 ZURICH RATINGS:
New Zealand, England, Australia, South Africa, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Argentina, Samoa, Canada, Italy, Fiji, Tonga, Japan, Romania, United States, Georgia, Namibia, Uruguay.