Dubai: Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies and ex-Scotland full-back Gavin Hastings have both agreed that the onus is on England to redeem themselves in the Six Nations after a torrid display at last October's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

England's now infamous campaign, which ended with a 19-12 quarter-final defeat to France and coach Martin Johnson's resignation after a series of off-the-field incidents, has gone down in the annals of rugby history as the darkest moment for the northern hemisphere's only winner of the Webb Ellis trophy.

Not only did Mike Tindall, husband of the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, get caught on CCTV in a compromising embrace with another woman at a dwarf throwing contest just four months after their marriage, but James Haskell, Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton were also forced to apologise for harassing a female hotel employee.

On top of this the team were found in breach of the rules when trying to switch balls before a conversion and centre Manu Tuilagi, already fined for wearing a gum shield with a sponsor's logo, was arrested for jumping off a ferry in Auckland.

"It was a little bit shambolic to be honest," Davies told Gulf News, speaking on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship's Interactive Village.

"I can't really understand what went on. What's more surprising is that it occurred under Johnson.

"There was a lack of discipline and a little bit of stupidity and naivety. On a stage like the Rugby World Cup you know you have to behave and perform as it only comes every four years.

Davies said even though some players would get a chance to redeem themselves at Six Nations, others would only be remembered for things they did off the field.

"It's sad but changes have been made on and off the field and England now have to rectify their mistake at the Six Nations.

He said France and Wales will come in with high expectations for Six Nations but England's challenge would be to revamp their image.

New faces

"Maybe there's less pressure on them than anyone with so many new faces coming in but it will be very interesting. If they win at Murrayfield, great, but if not it will be another long tournament ahead of them."

Hastings said: "For England the Six Nations couldn't come around quick enough.

"There's a lot of uncertainty heading into the tournament and that could help them, especially if they can come away from Murrayfield with an opening day win. That would be a huge boost in confidence and morale. He said it was obvious that what England did at the World Cup was wrong.

"But the players will be pretty frustrated with the way that tournament went on-and-off the field and they'll feel they need to address a few of those issues.

Hastings said the supporters and those behind the team will only be interested in seeing a strong showing by England.

"It's not going to be easy for them having decided to bring in younger players and new management but if they succeed they will have worked hard," Hastings added.

There is evidence England's much tighter ship under interim coach Stuart Lancaster has already set sail with full-back Delon Armitage suspended from the second tier squad after being arrested for an alleged assault on a nightclub bouncer.

Before that, scrum-half Danny Care was thrown out of the squad after he was caught drink-driving in the early hours of January 1.

But as to whether England can bury the ghost of 2011, the jury is out.