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| England were left frustrated after missing out on a first Grand Slam in 10 years (Source: http://www.3news.co.nz) |
Humiliating. Embarrassing. Men against boys.
On the face of it there is no doubt that Saturdays 27 point defeat at the hands of a resurgent Welsh side, was one of the darkest days in the history of English rugby. Stuart Lancaster's side arrived in Cardiff quietly confident of achieving their first Grand Slam in ten years. They left the Millennium Stadium with their tails firmly between their legs.
The game was played with amazing intensity and pace for the full 80 minutes. England started boldly and seemed unfazed by the occasion or atmosphere.
But the inability of the English backs to finish off chances would once again prove costly. Had Manu Tuilagi taken Owen Farrell's pass and waltzed through the enormous hole in the Welsh defence, we may be talking about a different outcome.
He didn't and from the moment that pass went to ground Wales seized the initiative. Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton dominated the breakdown, starving England of possession and forcing a barrage of penalties. Referee Steve Walsh rightly or wrongly (but we won't get into that) started to ping props Joe Marler and Dan Cole at every scrum.
Leigh Halfpenny punished every infraction in a faultless kicking display, which has cemented his place as the Lions first choice full-back. Alex Cuthbert did what the English backs were unable to do earlier the game and finished his two opportunities with ease and took the game away from Chris Robshaw's side.
Wales exposed every area of weakness in the England team, that Lancaster and his coaching team were previously able to cover with stubborn defence and unrelenting commitment. But with the long-term aim of winning the 2015 World Cup in mind, this shattering defeat can serve as a crucial turning point for this relatively young England side.
Lancaster deserves great praise for lifting the national team out of the doldrums after the horror show during the 2011 World Cup. He has set out a framework and structure which can make England a force come 2015, now he needs to find the players that can turn England into a team that can execute at the highest level.
The loss of Ben Morgan to injury after the Scotland game was a massive blow to England as an attacking force. Morgan's ability to carry and get over the advantage-line makes him a key-cog in the England machine. Watch the Scotland game again and see how many times he breaks the line and puts his side on the front foot.
Tom Wood was moved into the number eight role and did an admirable job, but Wood's best work is done at blindside flanker where he can influence the ruck, he isn't a ball carrier like Morgan. Lancaster has to find an alternative should Morgan once again be unavailable.
The obvious choice is Wasps bulldozing number eight Billy Vunipola, who probably would have won his first cap against France had he not suffered an ankle injury in the week leading to the game. The 20 year-old has been smashing his way through defences all season and will relish the physical battle with the Argentinian pack on the summer tour.
Openside flanker is another area where Lancaster may be looking at alternative options. Chris Robshaw is great leader and had an outstanding Six Nations, but he isn't a natural fetcher. With his captain almost certain to be part of Warren Gatland's Lions squad, Lancaster has the opportunity to look more natural opensides such as Worcester's Matt Kvesic and Saracens Will Fraser.
The biggest shake-up however will come in the backs, with Lancaster desperately needing to find some firepower. Billy Twelvetrees started the Six Nations at inside-centre and had an excellent game against Scotland, before performing well in very different conditions in Dublin. His ability to distribute the ball and kick seemed to free up Owen Farrell and the two combined very well.
Brad Barritt has never let England down and is an essential part of England's defensive system, but I feel his time is nearing an end. Restoring Twelvetrees to the midfield will open up England's attacking options without losing any defensive strength.
The summer tour of Argentina will also give Lancaster and Mike Catt the chance to see if the likes of Jonny May and Christian Wade can transfer their club form to the international stage. Both May and Wade have been scoring tries for fun in the Aviva Premiership and can shred any defence with their pace. The hard-ground in Argentina provides the perfect chance to find out what these two are made of. Elliot Daly of Wasps and Marland Yarde of London Irish are two other youngsters who are making great strides domestically and provide even more options in the back-three.
While the loss to Wales was a painful one for the players and coaches, we should not forget that this England side produced one of the greatest performances Twickenham has ever seen when they dismantled the All Blacks in December. This loss has not made them a bad side, what it has done is highlight the areas of the game they need to improve if they wish to be consistently winning Grand Slam matches.
Sweeping changes are not necessary, what Lancaster and his team need to do is refine certain aspects of their game. With that in mind the tour of Argentina is a massive chance for the younger players to force their way into the squad, and one thing we know is that Lancaster won't be afraid to give them a chance.
