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England forward Billy Vunipola says he feels their fortunes at the Rugby World Cup could have been improved had they created closer relationships as a squad.

England became the first hosts of the tournament to be eliminated in the Pool stages, and lost to both Wales and Australia, with Vunipola believing they could have done more to create team spirit.

“We have to build more relationships as a team," the Saracens back-rower said.

“It’s a tough 12 weeks we spend together and I think the best way you do that is when you go out sit in a pub, have a drink and break down barriers. You want to get to know someone on a deeper level because when you get on the pitch it helps."

The 22-year-old was part of England's squad, but was forced out of the tournament due to injury and says he thinks the controversy surrounding the side following the 2011 World Cup, when raucous behaviour in a bar and Manu Tuilagi jumping off a ferry were among the unwelcome headlines in New Zealand, played a part too.

“With the pressures of the World Cup and what happened in 2011 it was very carefully managed. I think that’s something we could have done a little bit better," he added.

This clip is from 5 live Sport, Saturday 10 October 2015.

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