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Inadequate discipline could be the only”chink” at England’s odds of winning the Rugby World Cup, says former head coach Sir Clive Woodward.
Woodward led England to World Cup glory in 2003 and states that achievement can be emulated by them in Japan – if they can keep 15 men on the pitch.
He believes some players'”track documents” could prove costly.
Eddie Jones’ England play Tonga in their tournament opener in Sapporo following Sunday (11:15 BST).
They meet the usa before assessments against Argentina and France complete their group fittings.
“There is many advantages,” Woodward told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek on Sunday. “They have got this very powerful team.
“This is what I predict a X-factor group – but quite a number of the starting XV have a track record of dropping it into a match when under stress.
“There’s been a whole lot of attention on the principles regarding neck-high tackles. If you’re playing with with Argentina and France , top teams, and get a man sent off the odds of winning that game will be tricky.
“You need each and every player to play under pressure and play over the laws of the sport .”
Australian Jones replaced Stuart Lancaster as head coach after hosts England were knocked out at the group stage of the 2015 World Cup.
Woodward, who headed the negative in 1997-2004, is convinced that they will reach the final on 2 November but says they have to set the pace in matches.
“Eddie came to the job believing English rugby is tough and combustible, as he is called it,” said the 63-year-old.
“He has assembled an England team around the way he watched England playing before. They are very aggressive and tough. The important thing for me is they have got to play fast.
“It doesn’t matter how tough and physical you’re, if you perform slowly you aren’t going to win. If they could play in a real pace they have got every opportunity.”
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