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Rugby Union: New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen tips England to bounce back from Six Nations failure

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen tips England to bounce back from Six Nations failure

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has dismissed talk of an England crisis after Eddie Jones' side lost their third straight game to hand Ireland their Grand Slam.

Ireland overcame England 24-15 at Twickenham to claim the home side's Six Nations crown.

Despite finishing the tournament in fifth place, Hansen insists England have not become a bad side overnight.

"Yes they've lost three in a row and that's the reality, but it doesn't make them a poor side and nor does it mean they're in crisis," he said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

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Hansen took charge of the All Blacks for last year's drawn series with the British and Irish Lions and the 58-year-old believes last summer's tour could still be having an effect on England's key players.

"It's always tough after a Lions tour, where they had so many involved and then not having a break when they got back," he said.

"It's something we thought might happen and it's difficult. They'll have an off season and I think the off season will be really important for the English guys. I'm sure they'll sort it out and will be a tough team to beat in November," he added.

Hansen also suggested Ireland's central contracts have allowed them to manage their Lions better than England were able to.

"They've got central contracting which allows them to maybe have a bit more control over playing time and playing welfare than the countries where they don't have that luxury.

"You see the result of that. Guys are coming out and even though they've been on the Lions tour, the same tour that the English boys have been on, they've had the opportunity to rest up and be mentally and emotionally and physically able to go out and play good Test rugby."

The former Wales head coach also ruled out the possibility of succeeding Eddie Jones as England head coach.

Jones' RFU contract runs out in 2021, with the Australian tipped to lead the Lions' tour to South Africa.

"I can say I won't be coaching England," Hansen said. "If I was going to stay coaching international rugby then I'd stay coaching the All Blacks. It's a massive time commitment, no matter what team you're with."

"It would have to be right for the family and the team. If it's not right for both those parties, it wouldn't be right for me to go off and coach someone else. I'd rather stay and do it in New Zealand if it was right," he said.