Danny Coyle - 21-century England win ugly

Not a classic start to the Six Nations despite appearances. England players took the field dressed like the internationals of 100 years ago but the more muscular 2010 versions looked uncomfortably stuffed into their commemorative jerseys.

If the hope was that the retro look would instigate some sort of throw back to the days when space was plentiful and running rugby was the order of the day, then we were left disappointed.

Martin Johnson will tell you until he's blue in the face that 21st-century rugby is all about finding a way to win, and that is what his side achieved on Saturday.

Shocking as Wales were in the first half, they remained in touch and when they were back to their full compliment they were easily the sharper when it came to opening their opponents up.

Had Tom James hung on to James Hook's pass, the Welsh would have had no need to chase the game in that last 10 minutes, and the chance for Mathew Tait to intercept and skate clear to create James Haskell's second try, would never have materialised.

But just when England were rocking, they found a way to close the game out and it is fair to say that this is something they have been useless at against even half-decent opposition for quite sometime.

As for Ireland, you have to go back to the 2007 World Cup to remember such a dull game involving them as their opener with Italy.

Either the Leinster or Munster men who have been so outstanding in the Heineken Cup this season suffered a dramatic loss of form, or the Irish simply got bogged down in Italian mediocrity.

Nick Mallett has never fielded a side with so little ambition but you can hardly blame him, having to take the tournament whipping boys to the home of the Grand Slam champions on the first day of term.

Declan Kidney's side will need their game faces on next weekend because the French, having neatly side-stepped a Murrayfield banana skin, will be opening their home campaign scenting Irish blood.

The two favourites going head-to-head will perhaps tell us a lot more about the destination of the trophy this year.

On the other hand, it could leave England as the only team able to achieve a Grand Slam and anyone who put their money on the red rose at 5-1 for the championship feeling more confidence than England fans have for many a year.

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Date published : 09 Feb 2010 - 08:13:09