RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie has insisted that England are capable of winning this year's Rugby World Cup despite missing out on the Six Nations title yet again.
The Red Rose finished as runners-up for the fourth consecutive year following a dramatic final day, a performance of which Ritchie was fiercely critical.
However, he believes that Stuart Lancaster's side are still in the mix to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil later this year, providing they get the "small margins" right.
"I'm absolutely sure when we get to the World Cup it's going to be small margins that will make the difference between winning and losing. It usually boils down to who delivers on the day," Ritchie told reporters.
"Are we in the frame enough to win it? Yes, I think we've got enough talent. I've got to think and believe - and I know the team and Stuart believe that - that we can win this.
"We should be able to win it. Will we do it? Then that depends on our application and execution doing the games. It's frankly as simple as that."
England have been drawnn in a tricky World Cup group alongside Australia, Fiji, Uruguay and Wales.
