Lancaster unconcerned by ranking

England coach Stuart Lancaster insists securing a place in the top four of the world rankings is not his main objective this year.

Lancaster's men are currently ranked fourth and should they retain their place following a testing series of autumn internationals, they will be assured of avoiding the other top sides when the pool draw for the 2015 World Cup is made in London on December 3. The England chief has played down the significance of the rankings and says he has more pressing concerns ahead of meetings with Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. "You can become obsessed with the outcome. I'm much more about the process. What is the process going to be? How are we going to get the players fit, in-form, playing the right game plan, beating Fiji etc? The ranking will look after itself," said Lancaster. "It's in the back of my mind but the reality is to win a World Cup you are going to have to beat the best sides at some point along the way." England open their autumn campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on November 10.