The defeat led to England becoming the first host nation to fail to make the knock-out stages of the World Cup.
Northampton, the only English club to make the knock-out stage this year, will battle with the Blues, Edinburgh and Castres.
Not only did England fail to make the knock-out stages, precipitating Lancaster's "mutually-agreed" exit this week, but a bruised Ford has not entirely recovered from being left out of the starting lineup for the crucial pool game against Wales.
The Brave Hearts of Scotland had to defeat Manu Samoa to go one better than 2011 and make the knock-out stage and, at last, we had a marked contrast in gameplans, showing there are different ways of playing rugby union.
The top two automatically qualify while four of the third-placed sides will also make the knock-out stages.
United's failure to make the knock-out rounds of the Champions League last season meant that broadcasting revenues fell 11.3% to £104m.
The twice former Heineken Cup winners are still in contention to make the knock-out phase of this season's Champions Cup with two pool matches to go.
Spurs lost 2-1 at home to PAOK Salonika of Greece on Wednesday night and now need other results to go in their favour to make the knock-out stages.
England's World Cup campaign concludes on Saturday against Uruguay in Manchester after defeats against Wales and Australia meant they became the first host nation to fail to make the knock-out stages in the tournament's history.
Lancaster has a contract until 2020 but is under pressure after defeats to Wales and Australia in Pool A ensured they became the first host nation to fail to make the knock-out stages of the tournament.
"It's hugely important for us to be in that top six again". The twice former Heineken Cup winners are still in contention to make the knock-out phase of this season's Champions Cup with two pool matches to go.
