Sweeney demands discipline from card-happy England

England are the second-best side in the world when they can keep 15 players on the pitch, says Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney. Henry Pollock (above) and Freddie Steward were shown yellow cards in February's 42-21 defeat by Ireland, England's last match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham England must improve their discipline given they are the second-best side in the world when they have 15 players on the pitch, says Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney. During a miserable Six Nations campaign, England received eight yellow cards and one red across five matches, meaning they played 118 minutes – almost a game and a half of rugby – at less than a full complement.

They finished the 45-21 defeat by South Africa in July with 13 men after yellow cards for Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper, while four second-half sin-binnings contributed to Argentina coming close to a successful fightback a fortnight later. "It has been a big internal discussion," said Sweeney, who claims analysis also shows England slip to eighth or ninth best in the world when they are down to 14 players. "[Head coach] Steve [Borthwick]'s very conscious of that and he's working really hard with the players to improve that aspect. "You need all your players on the pitch for as long as possible. That's something