The Dual in Dublin - Ireland vs. England (RBS 6 Nations)

Strength is depth, it is a phrase that we have been itching to be able to use to describe England Rugby for a long time and if I'm brutally honest the words never quite fitted perfectly, instead England had depth but only in pockets, in one or two positions. However now in March 2015, in a World Cup Year the shoe fits, just look at the quality of the individuals that were released back to their Aviva Premiership Clubs Of course,  form and injuries have played a part in that however you have to be excited by the resources that are now available to Stuart Lancaster.

Every side has their defining matches, the games in which they take themselves to another level for 80 minutes and as a result it flicks a switch of belief and provides a high base to work off.  Cardiff two weeks ago was one of them and should England deliver and triumph over Ireland tomorrow, it will be another. At the start of the year when Stuart Lancaster announced his England Rugby Training Squad he highlighted very clearly that the development stage is over and this year it is all about winning. Now, a month of so on he has shown this with a pleasing ruthlessness in his selection as Jonny May is not only dropped from the starting XV, he is out of the squad entirely. That action highlights to the entire squad that mistakes simply won't be tolerated, England mean business and if you are to retain your shirt then you have to deliver, without exception.

In Dublin England must be controlled and play clever rugby, against Ireland territory is paramount and that is why there has been so much focus this week on the English backs. Precision off the boot is vital, England must play in Ireland’s half and with a back line in which nearly all of the 7 players are known for their proficient kicking games you hope that would be possible. The back three, Nowell, Goode and Watson may not have played Test match rugby with each other before however they have the advantage of all knowing the nuances of the Full Back position well having each delivered matches there for their clubs. This understanding, coupled with the thorough analysis that has gone on this week means that positionally they have no excuses, even against the master that is Johnny Sexton. 

Of course a huge spotlight falls on George Ford to dictate the shape of the game, it is a large ask for the man deemed to be ‘the apprentice’ to Sexton opposite him the however Ford has done this many a time for Bath and has the temperament to absorb that expectation and deliver. Up front England have the measure of Ireland, the English set piece is a weapon of mass destruction and should be a source of confidence and power for the side. Marler, Hartley and Cole will face into the McGrath, Best and Ross and every dark art will be utilised. All of the men behind them, from both sides, play the game with gladiatorial physicality and on the green grass of the Aviva blood will be shed for the cause and the breakdown will be a fearful place to be. 

Exactly like Twickenham twelve months ago this game will require every ounce of physical and mental effort from the Northern Hemisphere's two top sides, it will be an arm wrestle of seismic proportions and a one of the great test matches of the tournament. England must start fast, they’ll head out onto the pitch 12 minutes before kick off to take part in the formalities of meeting the president however they cannot let that impact them for a slow start at the Aviva simply won't cut it, not in 2015, not against Schmidt's men. This will be a game that is won by the side that delivers their game plan, cooly, precisely and with intelligence. Start preparing yourselves for it is going to be emotional...

Patience Is A Virtue - Spotlight on Alex Goode

Goode's last start - Cardiff 2012

‘It’s a dream’ those were the words of Alex Goode as he started to describe how it feels to be back in England’s starting XV and they are far from an exaggeration for Alex has waited patiently, behind the majestic Mike Brown for two long years in the quest to wear to England’s Number 15 jersey again. On Sunday, the Aviva Stadium is his stage and prior to leaving for Dublin he shared how he was feeling ahead of this Championship defining RBS 6 Nations fixture. 

Throughout, what must have felt like the longest two years of his rugby career as he has waited patiently for his opportunity, Alex has been the model professional, he has been the first to congratulate Mike Brown on his tremendous form and has never shown any sign of resentment or dejection. Privately I’m sure that he has felt both of those feelings and had his dark moments; for when you are faced with one of England’s most impactful players ahead of you, you wouldn't be human if that didn’t hit home and hurt just a little. Alex articulated how he focused during the time that he has spent waiting; 

‘It is always tough when you are very close and you are right there, but all I could concentrate on was my form and what I could affect. I looked at it in the way that I can’t affect how Mike plays or how the team is performing all I can do is impact how I play. I’m very lucky that Saracens is a very positive environment and that allowed me to focus week in week out and keep putting in good performances. From there you simply hope that you keep knocking on the door...’

So now the door is open, due to the clock running out for Mike to safely return to play following his concussion. When Stuart Lancaster confirmed his final XV he described Alex as a 'more than capable replacement’ for the man that has been instrumental for England for so long. It is true that Alex's attacking threat is slightly less overt or in your face than Brown's however he still should make Ireland think twice for his threat is that of a different kind. Alex is tremendously difficult to tackle and has worked extremely hardly personally on his physical fitness and attributes to boost this all around game. In short eyes up rugby comes naturally to Alex and Andy Farrell had nothing but praise for the Saracen earlier in the week;

‘Alex is a senior figure too and knows how to get the best out of people around him. His all-round game is good, and with his fly-half background he is another decision-maker for us, another voice. He has a good feel for a game, takes the right options and is composed under pressure.”

One third of the
back three - Anthony Watson 

That composure will be vital this weekend for England’s opponents house a tremendous kicking game and will be bombarding Goode and his fellow backs with a huge amount of work for the full eighty minutes. As a trio Goode, Nowell and Watson have no formal test match experience together so you can understand why Ireland have overtly said that they’ll target them, however that isn’t something that worries the Full Back;

‘They pride themselves on their high balls and their aerial battles but you know that already when you play Irish teams so there is nothing new there. Also I’m very aware also that I’ve got two guys in the back three, that have played Full Back and it is a part of the game that is one of our strengths too and hopefully we can go and enforce that. For me, it is all about communication in the back three, I’m quite loud naturally and it is going to be a loud environment but as long as we can see each other and communicate, that’s vital.’

Alex thoroughly deserves his opportunity, he is exactly the sort of man that Stuart wants in his squad, the ultimate team player, a steely competitor and a man with the temperament to step up onto the largest of stages and deliver. 

Game Faces On - Aviva Premiership Round 16 Preview

Every year, around the RBS 6 Nations, the Aviva Premiership kicks up a gear in terms of the importance surrounding every single point that is either earned or lost for with just 7 rounds left of table table normally little room for error and this year is no exception to that rule. The quality of the individuals released by England adds first some class expertise back to some squads however others remain without many of their most influential individuals. All in all the stage is set for an enthralling round of domestic rugby and one that I cannot wait to watch pan out, alongside the RBS 6 Nations action. 

(C) Red Hat Photo

The Round starts at Franklin’s Gardens where the Northampton Saints will host Harlequins. Last weekend at The Rec the Saints showed exactly why they are the leaders of the pack as they combined together a purposeful power game with fluid attacking rugby and I fully expect them to deliver the same output on home soil. This season Harlequins are having a tough time of it; they have lost their last four matches in all competitions and have struggled to deliver consistent performances. Precision and not over thinking proceedings will be top of Conor O’Shea’s wish list for against the league leaders any chances that they are given, or create, must be taken. With the manner in which the league leaders are playing I expect them to extend their lead at the top of the table and make minimal changes to their starting XV. Harlequins must raise their game, especially in their backs and deliver the sparkle that we know they are capable of. Spotlight on; Courtney Lawes has been released from England and should be take to the pitch the Quins players better watch out, as he has a point to prove from the word go.  

The Saturday fixtures begin in Oxford with a match that London Welsh have titled The ‘Battle of the Exiles’. The home side’s season remains a battle in itself, minus 545 is a harrowing points difference and being comprehensively beaten for 15 rounds in a row will have taken a tremendous emotional toll on the entire squad. In saying that Welsh must dust themselves off, pick themselves up and focus on their objectives of delivering an eighty minute performance and executing a consistent and secure defensive line.  London Irish’s season has fallen flatter than they would have liked and the words ‘transition’ and ‘period’ are very much appropriate once again. Against Leicester they were given a scrummaging lesson and proficiency in that area must be rectified for out the back they have exciting individuals; Lewington, Fenby and Fowlie that need a platform to work off.  The Battle of the Exiles may not be the prettiest game of the weekend but it will be fiercely contested.  Spotlight on; The Irish pack, the likely starters of Tom Court, David Paice and Halani Aulika must right their wrongs. 

In the East Midlands the Leicester Tigers will host the Sale Sharks and go in search of their fifth win on the bounce in all competitions. The Tigers will also look to ignite their game play with more invention and finally score a try after more than 500 minutes of play without one. Steve Diamond’s Sharks thoroughly deserved their home win against Saracens in Round 15 and they’ll head to Welford Road all guns blazing. Both sides will be missing instrumental men due to International duty; Cole, Croft and double Youngs in particular for the Tigers and of course Danny Cipriani and Chris Cusiter for Sale. The loss of Sale’s first choice half backs does shake things up and bit and it will be interesting to see how this one pans out in the East Midlands as elsewhere they are fairly evenly matched. Spotlight on; the fitness of Freddie Burns for the Leicester Tigers, if fit Freddie could be the difference between the two sides. 

At Allianz Park Saracens will aim to bounce back from their Round 15 disappointment however they’ll have to do so without a number of their first choice individuals including Alex Goode. Mark McCall’s men were uncharacteristically ill disciplined in Manchester and they’ll need to be squeaky clean on home soil against Newcastle Falcons side that are back on track. Newcastle thoroughly deserved the two points that they gained against Wasps and they must build on that performance, for their set piece will be tested against Saracens’ physical forwards. The Falcons must play without fear; historically they haven’t fared well against the London outfit having lost their last eleven encounters, however with their recent form, the game versus Exeter excluded, they’ve never been in a better position to compete hard against McCall’s side. Spotlight on; the leadership of Al Hargreaves to galvanise his side and ensure that they focus on the task at hand to deliver on home soil.

(C) Paler Images

Last weekend the Exeter Chiefs had a ball in the Capital as they compounded Harlequins’ woe with a determined win on the road. Jack Nowell has been rewarded for his part in proceedings with a call up for England however the rest of the side remains ready to take on the challenge of Bath at home. At The Rec Bath couldn’t find a way to breakdown the steel of the travelling Saints and this week will have focused delivering their own game plan with precision and prowess and not being intimidated by the home side. Stu Hooper’s leadership will be vital for the visitors and his positional face off with Dean Mumm will be one of the many eye watching head to heads. Tempo will be the name of the game at Sandy Park alongside physical, no holds barred rugby. Spotlight on; Henry Slade, will he deliver another master class in rugby!?

The one and only game on Sunday is at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps will host Gloucester Rugby. Last weekend Wasps didn’t perform to their capabilities and must do so at home to keep their Top 6 ambitions alive. At home Gloucester’s win over London Welsh was costly in terms of injuries and they’ll need their young men, Purdy, Braley, Evans and co to continue to step up and relish the challenge of the large Ricoh Arena stage. I expect that Dai Young won’t change this side around too much, instead he'll give them the opportunity to right their wrongs of seven days ago and deliver a performance for their home fans. Spotlight on; Gloucester’s back row, how will the balance and prowess change without Kvesic against the experienced Wasps trio?

Every Point Counts - Aviva Premiership Round 15 Review

This weekend the Aviva Premiership took centre stage and delivered us with some dramatic rugby as we hurtle head first towards the business end of the season. The table continues to be hugely congested, in particular in the mid section, and at this stage of the year every single point counts. 

(C) Lawrence Dallaglio

The Round kicked off at Kingston Park where the Newcastle Falcons and Wasps shared the spoils following 80 minutes of gripping rugby. The manner in which the Falcons bounced back after such a dismal Round 14 must be hugely commended and it bodes well for their development as a side for lesser teams could have crumbled. The visitors will be frustrated as they didn't play to their full potential however one Wasp did; Elliot Daly. Daly was majestic as he created a try and then scored one of his own all in just 100 seconds of play. The Falcons put in a physical shift, Sinoti Sinoti gained meters galore with his magical feet and the match went down to the wire. Juan Pablo Socino's interception proved to be the decisive score in spite of Wasps having the last say of the game with Guy Thompson's try. 

A moment of reflection
pre-game @PremRugby 

At The Rec Bath fell at the hands of a steely Northampton Saints side, who showed that they have absolutely no intentions of relinquishing their Premiership title without a fight. As expected it was a brutally physical battle and in spite of a strong Bath start thanks to Olly Woodburn's try however the Saints felt their way into the game and at half time everything was hanging in the balance. Pleasingly for Jim Mallinder his side kicked on after the break and Stephen Myler's boot was on song to be able to capitalise on slight Bath ill discipline. Tom Homer found his first Rec run out a little tougher as he missed four penalties and crucial points, however as we all know rugby is a team sport and Bath just started to chase the game a little too early. On the whole it was impressive from the Saints, they showed steely reserve and patience to take a stranglehold on a hugely important match and the result opens up a spot of daylight for them at the top of the table. Another lesson for Bath and they'll hope that they meet the Saints later on in the season and can finally record a victory over their bogey side. 

Cips pleased with his week &
his side's result (C)

At the AJ Bell Stadium the Sale Sharks delivered the cherry on top of what had already been a great week as they beat Saracens for the first time since 2011. Saracens had a late shuffle to contend with as Charlie Hodgson pulled up in warm up and that meant that Alex Goode moved to Fly Half, Chris Wyles came in at to Full Back and Nils Mordt took his place on the bench. The man of the moment Danny Cipriani pressed his case for further International game time as he orchestrated proceedings with ease. Cips cooly slotted his kicks and delivered a supreme offload for Sam Tuitupou's first half try. Saracens were uncharacteristically off colour and it was their own ill discipline, particularly in the first half, that pushed the game away from them combined Sale's huge desire to win. Last weekend Steve Diamond said to me that his team 'had to take a significant scalp over the next three weeks' to continue their quest for a Top 6 finish and they have done it at the first time of asking, impressive.

Slade had a ball
at The Stoop (C) Paler Images

In London Harlequins suffered at the hands Exeter Chiefs and in particular the boot of Henry Slade who delivered 27 of his side's 32 points to gain their first win away from home since November. Slade hit six penalties, two conversions and scored a try of his own to turn the heads of everyone in London and I expect also the England management team. Dave Ewers was industrious as always in the back row and Jack Nowell was imposing in the centre pushing for his own inclusion in England's squad for Ireland. Harlequins worked hard and stuck at it, Matt Hopper's try scoring finish was sublime however frustratingly for them they didn't make their possession or numerical advantage count, for Exeter had 3 yellow cards during the 80 minutes. Quins created opportunities and had enough of the ball however missed their killer instinct. It was a significant win for the Chiefs on the road and one that leaves O'Shea's side with a small mountain to climb. 

Mid game hail at 
Kingstolm @GloucesterRugby

At Kingsholm the Cherry & Whites' delivered a bonus point victory over London Welsh however it was marred by injuries to three key men; Charlie Sharples, Matt Kvesic and Henry Trinder. The severity of all three is yet to be confirmed formally by the club but your heart bleeds for Trinder in particular who was making his first start in three months post rehab for a shoulder and hamstring injuries. James Hook delivered 100% accuracy from the kicking tee as he contributed 18 points to their tally and Henry Purdy's double was brilliant for the young back. As always, London Welsh didn't ever give up however their porous defence cost them any chance of staying in the game, sadly that is a consistent theme for the season. In the end it was a routine win for Gloucester however costly in terms of personnel and continued agony for Welsh.  

Huge forward effort form Tigers
(C) @LeicesterTigers

The final game of the weekend was in Reading at the Madjeski Stadium where London Irish hosted the Leicester Tigers. The elements and mud strewn pitch didn't help proceedings however both sides did play  some positive rugby. In the opening forty Leicester's forwards took control of proceedings at the set piece and collectively delivered a lesson in scrummaging led by  Logovi'i Mulipola. Freddie Burns looked assured at Fly Half and kicked his side into all of the right places and it was a testament to his proficiency that the game changed shape when he didn't come back out for the second half following a head knock. London Irish were much more streetwise during the second forty as they enjoyed the lions share of possession however couldn't make it count due to a solid orange defensive wall and their own imprecision. A win is a win for the Tigers however it has been more than 5 hours since they have scored an Aviva Premiership try and that will be concerning for the former Premiership Champions. 

Now we head into Round 16 with just one point separating 7th place and 3rd place... it is the type of congestion that gives Directors of Rugby sleepless nights and provides us with thrilling entertainment. Would anyone like to predict the Top 6 now...!?! All answers on a Tweet!!   

15 Minutes of Fame - Aviva Premiership Round 15 Preview

(C) Paler Images

Round 15 starts at Kingston Park where the Newcastle Falcons will host Dai Young’s Wasps. Here are two sides that are coming off the back of completely contrasting performances in Round 14; Wasps delivered a dominant victory over their Premiership ‘bogey’ team Harlequins whilst the Falcons were shown up at Sandy Park as they forgot to pack their A Game. Richards’ men must up their performance levels in all facets of their game, in particular defensively for Wasps house a huge number of threats in their back line and have been enjoying playing some expansive rugby this season. I hope to see Newcastle back to their best and giving as good as they get underneath the Friday Night Lights however Wasps will have firmly targeted this as must win game to continue their charge for the Top 6 finish they have in mind. Key Men; Falcons’ Captain Will Welch to pick his side back up and Wasps’ Nathan Hughes to continue to drive his team forwards with gusto.

At the AJ Bell Stadium the Sale Sharks will welcome Saracens for their fourth meeting of the season across both the Aviva Premiership and European competitions. Saracens have won every single encounter to date and will not want to relinquish that record. Last Sunday’s clash with Bath proved Mark McCall's monumental strength in squad depth and they have the luxury of Mako Vunipola, Alex Goode, Richard Wigglesworth and Brad Barritt all back in their ranks. Sale had a solid warm up against London Welsh and with the man who in Steve Diamond’s words ‘instrumental to everything that we do’, back, Danny Cipriani, they’ll be ready for the challenge. This game is the start of an important run for the Sharks for if they are to cement a Top 6 position they’ll need to take a big win over one of their next three opponents; Saracens, Leicester Tigers or Bath.  Key Men; England’s returnees on both sides are all men with points to prove prior to the Ireland training week.

Further South on Saturday afternoon, rugby returns home to Kingsholm as the Cherry & Whites will host London Welsh. David Humphreys’ men will have been bitterly disappointed that they didn’t finish off the game at Welford Road and they’ll feel that this match is the perfect opportunity to blow away a few cobwebs. London Welsh produced some positive rugby in Round 14 however they weren’t as clinical as they should have been with their basics. Welsh’s Assistant Coach Ollie Smith was open and honest with me following their defeat and said that they will focus on delivering ’80 minutes of competitive rugby’ and then they will see where that takes them. Key Men; XV men in the pink of Welsh need to focus & all deliver to their capabilities.

In London Harlequins will aim to bounce back from their defeat in Coventry as they welcome the Exeter Chiefs to the Capital. Conor O’Shea’s side have an impressive Premiership home record, they haven’t lost there since November 2014 however if they deliver to the same standard as Round 14 that record is unlikely to be standing come 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon. The Chiefs will breeze into town riding on a wave of confidence; they have within their ranks the Aviva Premiership’s top try scorer, Thomas Waldrom and one of the competition’s most naturally gifted players, Henry Slade. It is vital that Harlequins deliver a performance based on solidity at the set piece and positive rugby to keep themselves in touching distance of their high expectations.  Key Men; the half backs on both sides will need to ignite their teams into life

The final game on Saturday is at The Rec where Mike Ford’s Bath will host the Northampton Saints. This one will be an intriguing battle; Bath missed their key sparks last weekend however began to tick towards the end of the game at Allianz Park. They say that the manner in which you end a game always informs the start of the next so at home I expect Bath to come out of the blocks much more emphatically in Round 15. The Saints will have had a brutal week of analysis; their performance against London Irish was very much below par and strong words will have been delivered this week across the board. I’m expecting a strong forward battle and physical clash as both sides aim to show that they are still title contenders. Key Men; Watch out for the Back Rows and the clash of Manoa, Clark & Dickinson against Garvey, Louw & Houston – seismic!

(C) Charlie Hill

The one and only game on Sunday is in Reading where London Irish welcome the Leicester Tigers to town. Whilst Irish pushed the Saints close last Friday night they weren’t 100% pleased with their performance and will be focusing hard this week on delivering a cleaner output. The Tigers showed just the type of character that we expect from the East Midland’s outfit as they edged Gloucester at home with world of pressure on their shoulders and a win this weekend would be instrumental to building on that platform of confidence. I expect another eye catching performance from Freddie Burns and with the Madjeski being a better surface under foot than Welford Road a little more sparkle from Richard Cockerill’s backs. Key Men; The Battle of the 10s – Burns vs. Geraghty

Frustration, Elation & More - Aviva Premiership Round 14 Review

This weekend the Aviva Premiership returned to our lives and for the sides missing their International players it was the first of a three part test of their strength and determination. From the Friday Night Lights of Franklin’s Gardens and Welford Road to the jam-packed Ricoh Arena we were treated to 285 points and 27 tries. Here is the full round review; 

(C) @LeicesterTigers

At Welford Road the Leicester Tigers delivered a hard earned and crucial home victory over Gloucester Rugby. It was a night for the purists as the weather conditions and the pitch didn't lend itself to running rugby, instead scrummaging and hard graft up front was the order of the evening. The forwards were fairly evenly matched throughout the evening and indeed the difference was the all around kicking game and boot of Freddie Burns. Burns showed the fruits of his  recent work with kicking coach Paul Grayson as he slotted six penalties to James Hook's five. Gloucester scuppered chances to finish the game and will be frustrated about that however it is important to say they did not deliver a bad performance. Leicester shouldered the external pressure on them well and will head to the Madjeski Stadium ready to continue their traditional latter end of the season charge. 

(C) Red Hat Photo

At Franklin's Gardens the Northampton Saints didn't have a good day at the office, after siting their strength in depth as one of their key assets they failed to gel and impose themselves on London Irish. Frustrating and inaccurate are words that we usually associate the Saints however as they scuppered chance after chance they became appropriate for the night, Ken Pisi's try was the shining light in an otherwise forgetful performance. For Irish the story is slightly brighter, they'll be pleased with their ability to annoy their hosts however they'll share Saints' frustration as they also delivered basic inaccuracies, like dropping the ball over the line. Whilst Shane Geraghty had a good day at the office from the tee, key lessons will be learned and taken from a night in which they should have gained more.

At Sandy Park the Exeter Chiefs enjoyed themselves as they ran out 46 points to 17 winners over the Newcastle Falcons. Dean Richards' side didn't travel well and let themselves down for the first time in a number of rounds. Thomas Waldrom continued to enjoy life in the fast lane with his 10th try of the season and whilst Jonathan Joseph is scoring for fun at International level he remains the Premiership's top try scorer. For the Falcons defence appeared to be slightly optional and their basics weren't there. Strong words and a re-group will be on the cards before they entertain Wasps at home on next Friday evening whilst Exeter will feel confident that they can head to Harlequins and gain a strong result away from home. 

In Oxford London Welsh had a tough time against the Sale Sharks. It was a pacy first half that included some positive Welsh breaks however they weren't able to finish them all off. In contrast Sale delivered their scores with ease, Dan Braid gallantly put up with Opeti Fonua running down his channel with gusto and out wide Mike Haley and Sammy Tuitupou enjoyed the space that they were given. In the final forty once the game was out of reach London Welsh enjoyed the lions share of the possession however their basics were found wanting again and their opportunities were missed. Speaking frankly, Sale warmed themselves up nicely for a tough few weeks as they host Saracens next weekend before heading to Welford Road and then The Rec.

At the same time in London Saracens hosted Bath at Allianz Park and were pushed all the way to the final whistle after a spirited Bath come back. Saracens had a comfortable 31 points to 10 lead however as we have seen on many occasions this season Bath have a steely resolve and didn't give up. Overall Saracens played sensible rugby, they clocked up their scoreboard well, Jackson Wray had a particularly abrasive day and both Chris Wyles and Ashton’s finishes for their respective tries were impressive. Bath were physically imposing in defence and Tom Homer impressed on his debut as did Kyle Easmond. Ultimately Bath’s slow start cost them for against Mark McCall's side you must be on the money from the first whistle. 

The final game of the weekend was up at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps got off to a flying start against Harlequins thanks to two tries from Tom Varndell and Elliot Daly and they never looked back. Aviva Premiership matches between Wasps and Harlequins are notoriously tight with a maximum winning margin of just three points separating their last three Premiership encounters however on Sunday afternoon Wasps sensed their opportunity and took it with both hands. Harlequins' two yellow cards did little to help their cause and Nick Evans' boot was the only source of points. Nathan Hughes continued to make us count down the days until he is eligible for England with another physical performance and the result makes it three bonus point victories from three Aviva Premiership games at the Ricoh Arena for Wasps. 

View the Full Aviva Premiership Table here

Job Done - England vs. Italy (RBS 6 Nations)

Today, at Twickenham Stadium, England delivered their second RBS Six Nations victory in the same number of weeks as they dismissed the Italians by 47 points to 17. As expected the Azzurri proved to be a frustrating side to play against and England had to be patient before they could enjoy themselves out there on the beautiful Twickenham turf. Prior to the game I, and many other people, called for England to make a huge statement of intent and put a lot of points on the board and in my eyes they delivered the points and most, but not all of the statement. 

Let’s focus on the positives first because there were some very bright ones and it would be doing one man a great disservice if I started anywhere else other than talking about him, Mr Jonathan Joseph. As Stuart said ‘it wasn’t ideal’ having to move JJ to the wing however the Bath man proved that he can make an impact on the game from any position on the field. JJ's his first try in particular highlighted his natural talent and sublime feet, however throughout he was electric. Joseph ignited the stage that he has been waiting so patiently to perform on and his fearless determination to show what he is made of is paying dividends for himself and for England. Overall in attack England played with purpose and their confidence led to inventive eyes up rugby, even without Mike Brown who usually is the source of so many meters and breaks. 

The manner in which England patiently clawed themselves out of their slumber must be acknowledged and applauded. Today, a significant and unplanned reshuffle didn't de-rail Lancaster's side and in prior years it would have done. Robshaw and his men did what Lawrence Dallaglio calls the 'toughest thing in rugby' and that is to learn on the job, for when they needed to England upped their ball carrying intensity, increased their defensive physically and let loose. The pack always looked secure and comfortable; James Haskell and Chris Robshaw worked themselves into the ground and Billy Vunipola’s carried like a man possessed, taking any unsuspecting Italians along with him. Italy’s greatest threats are always up front and they were pacified by England’s collective power. 

Yes, it wasn't a completely perfect performance, it had its flaws, chances were missed and there were sticky patches however England are playing rugby with a purpose and intensity and that fills me with confidence. Stuart Lancaster's men did what they needed to do and tonight they should put their feet up and relax after an emotional trip to Cardiff last Friday and a productive one today at home. 

View all the Out On The Full Photos from Twickenham here

England vs. Italy - RBS 6 Nations (Round 2)

When the final whistle blew in Cardiff it was a glorious moment filled with euphoria and jubilation, England had conquered the odds and their Millennium Stadium demons in stunning fashion and had delivered the best possible start to the year. However the fact of the matter is that it was just a moment and in order for it to have true meaning for this squad Chris Robshaw and his men must deliver again this weekend and they must do so with some style. 

The challenge that England face playing against Italy at Twickenham is completely different to Friday night’s for the intensity of the rivalry between the two nations is less and the quality of the opposition is less. In saying that Italy are not as proficient as Wales is not being dis-respectful to the Azzurri, it is merely stating fact, numerically the World Ranking's confirm this. I was keen to understand the focus areas and key messages that Stuart has delivered to his side this week and ask him to articulate them during today's press conference; 

‘Well, I think obviously starting the game, is an area of improvement for us without a doubt having gone 10-0 and putting ourselves in a difficult position. We need to make sure that we start better and don’t put ourselves under pressure, so that has been a big talking point this week. Also building on the discipline that we showed throughout the game, particularly in the second half we gave virtually no opportunities away for Leigh Halfpenny to extend that lead and then our intensity in our ball carrying and the simple things done well, is the over-riding message for the players this week.’ 

In previous years, right about now, I would probably be reaching into the cliche box and saying that 'this fixture is a potential banana skin’ however with this group of players and coming off the back of last weekend’s performance I can hold my hand on my heart and say that I don’t believe that this is the case in 2015. The reasons are that this England side fully understand that one strong result does not make you a World Class side and they know that every single time that they step onto the field they have to progress and take their game up a level for that is the reality of this, a World Cup year. 

On Saturday afternoon England must deliver 80 minutes of proficient and intense rugby, they must execute their game plan with pinpoint accuracy from the first whistle and they must be absolutely ruthless. James Haskell, Chris Robshaw and Billy Vunipola need to pacify Sergio Parisse's influence at the breakdown for he alone has the ability to disrupt proceedings. Italy's two tries in two minutes against Ireland highlight two key points; first that you cannot switch off for a moment against the Azzurri and second that their backs are more than capable of exploiting weak defensive lines. England must focus and they must deliver their basics brilliantly. Up front, the onus is on Graham Rowntree's forwards to continue to dominate at the set piece in order to provide the secure platform for that beautifully balanced back line. The key relationships in the half backs and the centres are still be relatively fresh however the base level they showcased against Wales can only be built on and in my opinion this is one of, if not the most dynamic back line that we have seen from England in recent years. 

On the surface this weekend doesn't have the overt intensity of Round 1 and England versus Wales however the pressure remains firmly placed on Chris Robshaw and his side's shoulders. They are favourites and they are expected to beat Italy, this weekend is about execution and development. My wish for this group of players is to go out and stamp their authority on the year with a performance that blows Italy off the park and that states very loudly and clearly; ‘We are England Rugby and this is our year.’

England; 15 Mike Brown 14 Anthony Watson 13 Jonathan Joseph 12 Luther Burrell 11 Jonny May 10 George Ford 9 Ben Youngs 1 Joe Marler 2 Dylan Hartley 3 Dan Cole 4 David Attwood 5 George Kruis 6 James Haskell 7 Chris Robshaw (C) 8 Billy Vunipola Replacements; 16 Tom Youngs 17 Mako Vunipola 18 Kieran Brookes 19 Tom Croft 20 Nick Easter 21 Richard Wigglesworth 22 Danny Cipriani 23 Billy Twelvetrees

Italy; 15 Luke McLean 14 Leonardo Sarto 13 Luca Morisi 12 Andrea Masi 11 Giovanbattista Venditti 10 Kelly Haimona 9 Edoardo Gori 1 Alberto De Marchi 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini 3 Martin Castrogiovanni 4 George Biagi 5 Marco Bortolami 6 Francesco Minto 7 Mauro Bergamasco 8 Sergio Parisse Replacements:16 Andrea Manici 17 Matias Aguero 18 Dario Chistolini 19 Josh Furno 20 Samuela Vunisa 21 Guglielmo Palazzani 22 Tommaso Allan 23 Giulio Bisegni

Back In The Game - Aviva Premiership Round 14 Preview

after a month off the Aviva Premiership returns to action as Round 14 charges into town and there is absolutely everything to play for with just 5 points separating third place and eighth place. From here on in we are charging towards the business end of proceedings therefore the importance of the games coming up during this International window can be categorised as 'business critical' and will have a significant say in terms of teams’ fates for the rest of the season.

The rugby kicks off under the Friday Night Lights at Welford Road as the Leicester Tigers host Gloucester Rugby. It will be a sell out and should be a hugely physical game of rugby for as we all know there is little love lost between the two sides. Both packs will take a different shape to normal without key men including Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Leonardo Ghiraldini and it will be up their colleagues to wrestle over gaining crucial set piece dominance for that will lay the platform for success. In my eyes this is the area where the game could be won and lost for both sides house backs that have the talent to score points and run from anywhere. Leicester are handing starts to a few fresh Premiership faces in George Catchpole and Sam Harrison and Gloucester are putting their faith in Henry Purdy on the wing whilst Jonny May is away with England. 

Irish have a tough ask away from home

At the same a few miles down the road the Northampton Saints will be welcoming London Irish to Franklin’s Gardens. The Saints have enjoyed a strong few weeks since Round 13 as they secured a place in the Champions Cup Semi Final and the LV Semi Final however in stark contrast London Irish are still struggling to find their form. The loss of Blair Cowen to Scotland is a big one for the visitors as he provides huge ball carrying go forwards and proficiency in the loose. Northampton’s missing personnel are also large characters in particular Dylan Hartley, George North and Luther Burrell however they have great depth in their ranks and their team selection showcases this with a frighteningly good start XV. Phil Dowson will led the side and they should  feel confident that they can emulate their performance levels during the last International window when they were unbeaten. 

In the only Saturday game of the Round the Exeter Chiefs will host the Newcastle Falcons in a late kick off at Sandy Park. It will be hugely interesting to watch how the well the Falcons travel for their progression to date has been impressive and they'll want to impose their new style on the home side. The Chiefs’ crowd will be present in full force as will their squad, for the Chiefs' are one of the few Premiership side's to remain fully in tact during the 6 Nations. The delightful Henry Slade starts at Fly Half forcing to Gareth Steenson to take a place on the bench alongside Tom Johnson who should make a welcome return to Premiership action.  The Falcons are at full strength with their powerhouses on the outside Sinoti & Tuliagi and the dynamic Tom Catterick in the middle this should be the most competitive clash between these two sides in a long time. 

On Sunday afternoon the first game of the day will be at Allianz Park as Saracens welcome Bath Rugby. Is it fate that the two sides that have lost the most players to the respective home nations are playing each other this weekend? Or bad luck? Whatever it is, it makes for an intriguing game of rugby as both sides have deep and impressive squads. Bath have been mixing and matching their front row well during the course of the season so the trio of Nick Auterac, Ross Batty and Henry Thomas is battle worn and ready to go. Tom Homer will make his first start in a Bath Rugby jersey after his move from Irish this week and in the centres Kyle Eastmond partners up with Sam Burgess. Saracens' XV is exactly like Northampton's in the sense that even without a number of their International men it is eye wateringly strong. Personally I can't wait for the back row clash... Brown, Burger and Wray tussling with Garvey, Louw and Houston, that should provide the type of content that really good rugby dreams are made of!!

These sides have clashed twice 
already (C) Paler Images

At the Ricoh Arena Wasps welcome Harlequins to their new home and will fancy their chances of continuing their strong Aviva Premiership record at the stadium. Matt Mullan will captain the side in the absence of James Haskell and their newest recruit, James Downey is given his first start at inside centre. During the last International window Harlequins had a tough time of it and they’ll need to have learnt from that to ensure that they don't slide down the table. Conor O’Shea will look to his experienced men of Danny Care, Luke Wallace and George Robson  to drive the team forwards and it will be interesting to see how this one pans out in Coventry.

The final game of the weekend is at the Kassam Stadium as London Welsh take on the Sale Sharks and continue to search for their first big W. Welsh have been very close in the LV Competition for the last two weeks and must take that as a positive and not a frustration going back into this competition. Steve Diamond hasn't taken this fixture lightly, instead he has fielded a strong side led by Dan Braid. Chris Cusiter and Nick Macleod will be in charge of dictating proceedings from the half backs and Mike Haley will look to enjoy the space from Full Back. London Welsh introduce Seb Jewell and Seb Stegmann back into the side after their respective injuries and Carl Kirwan will lead by example from the flank.