It’s been a bad week for the English national team. First the cricket team is embarrassed by the West Indies. Then the football team is taught a lesson by Spain. Finally the rugby union team takes a beating by Wales today. BUT at least on the rugby front things are looking up because that best I’ve seen England play in a couple of years!

Last week against Italy they score 5 tries, win the game comfortably but it was like watching paint dry. They was nothing but criticism for Martin Johnson men, constantly conceding possession and doing anything but run with the ball. However against Wales it looked a different team (except the first 15 minutes!) The ball was still kicked away a little too often for the purist but at least the backs were attempting to break the Welsh line. England even managed to outscore the “best team in the Northern Hemisphere” 2 tries to one. And unlike last weeks tries these weren’t gifts but deserved through graft in the fronts and guile in the backs. It was a great game of rugby to watch and even the most avid English fan will forgive them losing because for the first time in a long while there were the glimpses of what could be to come. England are getting better under Martin Johnson.

It wouldn’t be right to say all this without congratulating the Welsh. By beating England they made it 8 games in a row in the Six Nations as well as a hat-trick of 3 back to back wins against the arch enemy. If Ireland beat Italy tomorrow as expected then the Irish-Welsh clash could well decide the Six Nations as well as a possible grand slam. For now though Wales will have to remain as favourites.