Six Nations sides Wales and Ireland were on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism from the British press following their early exits from the Rugby World Cup.
Ireland failed to beat Argentina in Paris this morning which saw them finish third in the "Pool of Death", while Wales, grand slam champions in 2005, were upset by Fiji in a scintillating match in Nantes yesterday.
"One of the darkest days in Welsh rugby history," said former Wales captain Iuean Evan in the Daily Telegraph.
"You look at the quality of players we have and the huge amount of experience, especially in the back line, and you wonder how on earth we can be so devoid of leadership, composure and clarity of thought and deed.
"It has been a really bad World Cup for Wales, who have only performed in patches," he said.
Wales on Sunday columnist Barry John also waded into the Welsh performance, expressing disbelief at how they lost to the lowly-ranked Fijians.
"The Welsh team were so static, they don't think on their feet, there's no drive, no mental spark and Wales somehow made a relatively average side looked like world-beaters," he said.
"We must remember yesterday that we were not playing one of the super-powers but one of world rugby's second-tier nations.
"I'm in total shock how Wales lost, won, then lost again a game they should have been able to kill off effectively," he said.
Another former captain, Phill Bennett, called for the Welsh Rugby Union to take action to keep interest in the side.
"We're in a bit of a mess in Wales at the moment. Welsh rugby is at a crossroads and I'm looking for leadership now," he said on the BBC.
"Some of those people on the WRU board - Roger Lewis, David Pickering, Gerald Davies - have got to come up with answers in the next few days to reassure the nation."
Ireland weren't treated much better.
A season which began so promising by winning the Triple Crown ended with the Irish exiting the World Cup in the pool stages for the first time.
"Attitude, that's what has been missing," said Irish legend Willie John McBride in the Belfast Telegrapgh.
"There has been no urgency and that comes from attitude. It's the desire not to be second best.
"We don't have that, we are living in the comfort zone," he said.
The Irish Times said it is time for the Irish to return home and face the music, while also signalling out first-five eighth Ronan O'Gara for his lack of performance throughout the tournament.
"Ireland must return home and analyse where it went wrong for a squad that was billed as one of the most talented ever to don the green jersey, not just by the media and the public, but by themselves and their coaching staff.
"The performance from Ireland was better than the previous three, but that says little considering the standards set.
"Ronan O'Gara, heralded by some as the second best outhalf in the world, again fell drastically short of the level required to compete on this stage."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
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