It
is not often that England win a game by 52 points to 11 and still come in for
criticism… yes we all know the reason why because in the context of the 2014
RBS 6 Nations points mean prizes, however I believe that winning this year’s
RBS 6 Nations Championship is not the be all and end all for this England side
and that is why the criticism is unfounded. Stuart Lancaster and his men are
focused and are building… they are building towards something that is much
bigger therefore the focus should not be so narrow. Instead the spotlight
should be firmly fixed on the progression of this side, it should be fixed on
individuals’ personal development and it should be focused on the way in this
England squad they overcame each challenge that they were presented with.At the Stadio Olimipco England were worthy winners, historically Rome has been a difficult place to go, wins by 3 or 4 points have been the norm, so on face value putting 30 or 40 past them seemed challenging to say the least! However England were confident and efficient, they stuck with their game plan and after a scrappy first twenty minutes ran Parisse’s side ragged.
England worked extremely hard and they kept their cool, collectively they were strong and they showed all of the characteristics that we now expect to see from Stuart Lancaster's side; confidence, a huge work rate and an outstanding physical intensity. On an individual basis Courtney Lawes caused the Italian’s all manner of problems at the lineout and Owen Farrell ran the game with a huge amount of proficiency and expertise. Outside of them our two wingers had differing days at the office, a confident Jack Nowell went over for his first try whilst Jonny May didn’t quite find his feet and seemed to be quite lateral throughout. Mike Brown thoroughly deserved his MOM and Luther Burrell was hard done by to be taken off to make way for the Wrecking Ball that is Mr Manu Tuilagi, but you really couldn’t leave him on the bench for too long!
On the whole the match really was all about England, yes Italy found consolation in spoiling the points difference party due to their intercepted try, however apart from that they never really looked as if they could compete with the men in White. Stuart Lancaster will no doubt come in for criticism for utilising the whole of his bench, however before you agree with those words let me ask you what the alternative was!? Players need to be given game time, they need to be given a chance to shine and this squad will be stronger for it; George Ford looked hugely exciting when he came on and was instrumental in setting up Chris Robshaw's try, Dave Attwood made a sublime break. It is important that England have a 23 man squad that has huge strength in depth... and that strength can only be developed through gaining test match game time.
Whatever happens at 5.30pm in Paris this evening it should not take away from that fact that England put in the most assured and confident performance that they have done in Rome for a number of years. They were cool, calm and collected and made a hearty Italian side look extremely average. England do not need to have their name engraved on the RBS 6 Nations trophy to be classed as winners… they are already due to their development and performances throughout the tournament. For now I hope that they are enjoying a celebratory drink in the Italian sunshine and have found a screen or two just in case they want to watch Brian O'Driscoll's last game live.
Look out for the next Out On The Full Feature which will be a complete review of England's RBS 6 Nations and focus on what is to come for Stuart Lancaster's side.
