By Ian Robertson BBC rugby union correspondent

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 Johnson's refusal to move in Ireland could have played a part French bid explained

England's failure to win the bid for the 2007 World Cup is a total humiliation of the most amazing size.

If you thought England's Grand Slam losses in the last three years were embarrassing, they were nothing compared to the fact the entire rugby world has turned against England on this vote.

It was a vote they should have won.

England had the better proposal and an excellent outline for the next World Cup that was going to guarantee �50m more than the French bid.

France wins 2007 race

England were favourites to win the 2007 competition a few weeks ago.

Martin Johnson's refusal to move during the pre-match ceremonies in Ireland has something to do with the change of fortune.

But there are other reasons. England planned to hold the 2007 World Cup in June, clashing with the Tri-Nations series.

It's a staggering reverse of form that England should be totally isolated in this way

The southern-hemisphere competition generates a huge amount of money and the Rugby Football Union put forward a compensation fund of about �20m to be shared between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for the loss of the tournament.

Other countries felt this was a bribe to persuade the three nations to side with them.

England also instigated the Churchill Cup in Canada, pledging to play Canada every year despite not having travelled there for 30 years.

Canada was probably England's only vote. They effectively lost 18-1 because two of the three votes cast were their own.

So people felt they were playing politics to the highest degree.

I think it alienated a few people and England now find themselves totally isolated.

But I believe their bid was excellent and the proposal was first class.

It would have generated twice as much money as France's bid - �100m as opposed to �50m.

It really is a staggering reverse of form that England should be totally isolated in this way.