Under-fire England coach Stuart Lancaster has been the target of "assassination by the media", according to Wales coach Warren Gatland.

England became the first host nation in Rugby World Cup history to fail to qualify for the quarter-finals when it lost to Australia 33-13 last week.

The devastating defeat came after its 28-25 loss to Wales, highlighted by Chris Robshaw's decision to kick for touch instead of taking an equalising penalty late in the game.

Gatland - preparing for Wales's Pool A encounter with the Wallabies - was quizzed about Lancaster on Friday (AEDT) and leapt to the 45 year-old's defence.

"I think there has been a bit of assassination by the media, really," Gatland said. "It's one kick. If they had potentially taken those three points, well, I don't think all this would have been the same.

"I rang Stuart during the week and left a message, and he texted me back and said he appreciated the support.

"At the end of the day, I said to him I gave him a call to give him that support and just hope he's OK, and more importantly, him and his family. To me, that's more important than the rugby.

"At the end of the day, we are all in this together, aren't we? We all understand the pressures of professional sport and what you have to deal with."