A good win for England but for fifty minutes that was an unashamedly ugly game of rugby; this was an afternoon where the result eclipsed the performance, which is just as well.
Help from the bench
Lancaster also benefitted from a fine effort from the bench. It came into play in the second half and made a real difference. Ben Youngs injected a missing spark. Dylan Hartley added accuracy and edge in the line out. Both these men deserve an opportunity to start against Argentina to build a case for inclusion against New Zealand. Fifty minutes from the start and a half hour effort from Lee Dickson and Tom Youngs should enable Lancaster to select his optimum team for New Zealand.
The only other change foreseeable has to be in the messy midfield where Billy Twelvetrees poor club form with Gloucester translated into a scrappy international effort. His selection was based upon the potential to unlock an attacking game with his fusion of classy passing and hard angles. As it was the only classy passing came from the hands of Quade Cooper who at least produced a few useful tricks for the crowd.
Luther Burrell, if fit, is so far ahead of the Gloucester man on current form that he must start. Argentina is a perfect opportunity to breathe in test match air before the rare air of taking on New Zealand.
To summate a bad game, an average performance but a good result with plenty of positives lurking. A schoolmaster might say, 'far more dynamism and pace required in the future' in fact even a rugby broadcaster and journalist might say it. Much more needed but capable of improvement and undoubtedly these hard working grafters are willing to learn. The outcome of Saturday could prove better than the journey.
Stuart answers your emails...
Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...
Stuart, Do you think England should field three different teams for the QBE matches to balance winning essential games with testing the last few 'possible' players who will strengthen the squad for the RWC? The players I am thinking about are David Ewers, Henry Thomas, George Ford, Jonny May, Luther Burrell, Kyle Eastmond, Henry Trinder and Elliot Daly.
Michael Ward
STUART REPLIES: Michael, Three teams is pushing it. Continuity is a key word and England will not - and should should not - treat the QBE games as trials. After the weekend Luther Burrell would be the newcomer from your list I would hope and expect to enter the equation with Bath's Anthony Watson my dark horse for some game time as Mike Brown's back up in the Six Nations. Trinder would have been my pick for this autumn but injury set him back and I don't believe it helps or is fair to someone like Joel Tomkins to make a debut without much happening around him and then being rested/dropped. I am a big fan of Ford's potential and am hopeful he too could nudge his way into the 2014 picture. Maybe Christian Wade is close to a start too.
Hi Stuart, I thought Joel Tomkins had a strong debut for England but do you think he has enough attacking potential to lift an invariably laboured England midfield? I'm not convinced he is the answer. Sarries aren't the most lethal backline and a potential three-quarters of Farrell, Barrett and Tomkins for England will scarcely strike fear into opponents.
David Peters
STUART REPLIES: David, I am not convinced either and am not quite so sure where his game was strong but see my point above. That is a midfield made to tackle, not one to win a World Cup.
With the World Cup just two years away, would any of the current England squad make it into the 2003 team, Stuart? I can't think of one that would. While they are relatively young and things can look differently when a team gets on a roll, is this not still a worry for England? As the Lions showed, man for man they're still a long away from having the best players in the world.
Thanks, Jim
STUART REPLIES:Jim. Good question. Alex Corbisiero would be pushing. Ben Kay would be coming under pressure from a few locks and that would be about it. But that is, as you write, more of a concern about the readiness of this squad than an indictment of these players. It is hard to see them developing into the stature of the 2003 team but players grow as teams mature. It is a worry but there is two years until the WC and hope is far from lost for England fans despite a rather dull game on Saturday!
Stuart which player are you most looking forward to watching this autumn?
Phil Warner
STUART REPLIES:Anyone wearing a black shirt and anyone wearing a white shirt against them that day...will New Zealand ignite England again? Away from Twickenham Eben Etzebeth is growing into one of the world's best players. I love to watch him and if Gael Fickou gets a chance for France he's another to watch out for.
