After the World Cup debacle and the meandering displays under Martin Johnson which had about as much spark as a light bulb on the Titanic, all English fans wanted at Twickenham was a bit of passion, some fight, some flair and any wins would be a bonus.
Last week’s win in France which ended Les Blues 10 game unbeaten streak in Paris was enough to show that England have not just turned a corner in 2012 but have successfully abandoned the sinking ship of 2011.
Interestingly, only the front rowers of Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole along with Ben Foden and Chris Ashton remain from the Ireland game in Dublin last year where England could have scooped up the Grand Slam, with the rest of the side formed by an exciting new England outfit.
Owen Farrell
It wouldn’t surprise me if Owen Farrell had learning difficulties at school because he doesn’t seem to realize he’s playing international Test rugby and the pressure, which comes. It began for him with last year’s Premiership final where he guided Saracens to victory over Leicester with cool kicking – and now he’s getting an England backline ticking in a manner which many thought was no longer possible in a white shirt after moving from 12 to fly-half.
He’s stood up like non-other, been England’s star of the Six Nations and should be the cornerstone of the side for years to come.
Manu Tuilagi
After missing the first two games because of injury, Manu Tuilagi has shown in the Wales and France games why – despite his cap collection still not in double figures – he’s so important to English rugby. Typified by his try in Paris, his pace, strength and love of contact are attributes England’s midfield have been missing for years.
Whether Brad Barritt is his long-term partner is to be seen, but imagine Tuilagi playing with someone with the vision of a Will Greenwood, creating gaps for him to gallop through – now that is simply salivating.
Chris Robshaw
What a few seasons the Harlequin has had. Since he was named England captain for the Scotland game – only his second full cap – the former Saxons leader under Stuart Lancaster has been simply fantastic. Back row colleagues Ben Morgan and Tom Croft may have been responsible for the dazzling runs, but Captain Robshaw has been at every breakdown, making tackles and leading England by example with pure grunt.
Stuart Lancaster
This is like when a relationship needs to decide whether it’s going to stop being a bit of fun and become something more committed or if the pair should leave it and just remember the time fondly as a bit of fooling about.
Lancaster has done everything asked of him. He’s rejuvenated an ailing side and if it weren’t for a breakaway try in the final few minutes of the Wales game England would be 80 minutes away from an undefeated Six Nations campaign.
Would someone like Nick Mallet do a better job? Whichever way you look at it there’s only one way to find out – but Lancaster has been exemplary in his position alongside Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree, all three of whom deserve a role in the set-up but if a new man comes in at the top he’ll surely want his own people around him.
Lancaster has oozed calmness and class in his position. Maybe it’s just because he’s warming the seat and if given the job permanently pressure and expectation could crush him – but I think that’s a risk worth finding out and a challenge the Yorkshireman would relish.
