Dire England warned there isn't a quick fix

Ashton was, effectively, forced out of office after his guiding of the team to the 2007 World Cup Final and second place in the Six Nations was deemed a failure.

Johnson was appointed to cure every English rugby ill - a patently ridiculous remit - but his short tenure has now made history for the wrong reasons and there is little room to manoeuvre.

Once the New Zealanders have gone home, Johnson must then determine if lock Steve Borthwick is worth his place in the side, let alone the captaincy.

Other questions need to be answered. Does forwards coach John Wells deliver the goods? Is kicking coach Jon Callard the right man for the job? Why is Mike Ford's defence opened up so easily?

On the pitch, only full-back Delon Armitage, scrum-half Danny Care and the outstanding Tom Rees have maintained their form in the three Autumn internationals.

That highlights the fundamental problem undermining England's cause. Too many players have failed to rise to the challenge, mentally and physically, and their errors have compounded a collective inability to score tries despite having 63 per cent of possession.

With outside-half Danny Cipriani being given precious little quick ball, England have been too lateral in their lines of running. They are also playing too much rugby in their own half which, under the new laws, carries the danger of conceding penalties at the break down. The team's inability to kick deep and chase with a collective purpose has made life too easy for the opposition.

Cipriani has displayed neither the length nor accuracy necessary with the boot and a recurring problem with charge downs is only making matters worse for the Wasps outside-half.

On Saturday, it will be Dan Carter, the man Cipriani admires the most, who will be pulling the tactical strings for New Zealand and it could turn very ugly again for England.

Cipriani said: "We have let the whole squad and management down and I was very disappointed with my own game. I didn't play very well. There is going to be a lot of negativity outside the squad and we want to do the country proud against New Zealand. By the end of the week we are going to know how strong some people are."