6N showing disappoints RFU

London - England's fourth consecutive runners-up finish in the Six Nations was "not acceptable", Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie told reporters on Tuesday.

England narrowly lost out to Ireland on points difference after a thrilling finale to the tournament on Saturday, but Ritchie says they cannot accept second-best in a year when they host the World Cup.

"Four years as runners-up is not acceptable and we are not happy with how that came about," Ritchie said.