In his BBC Sport column, World Cup winner Matt Dawson reflects on England’s narrow win over Scotland, and assesses how the battle for British and Irish Lions selection at fly-half is shaping up.
I’m always in the camp of winning over entertainment.
Of course England want to entertain the fans, but when you’re in that white shirt, you just want to win the game.
As a player, I never thought ‘how can I do this to entertain the fans?’
If these two wins over France and Scotland are the start of a 10-game unbeaten run, England can be the ugliest team in the world and the roof will still come off Allianz Stadium.
The fans love coming to Twickenham, knowing no-one beats you or messes you around.
If you went outside the bars and pubs around the ground after the victory over Scotland, they were absolutely rammed two hours after the game.
England have found a little edge over the past couple of games where they have gone behind and it is invaluable experience for these players to bounce back and grind out the win.
It will stand them in good stead.
They have a solid set-piece, which is going to handle most teams. The line-out looks solid with Ollie Chessum coming in, and at the breakdown they are getting the balance of the back row.
For me, the glaring the omission is kicking the ball when it was the wrong option.
When there is a five-on-three in attack, let’s isolate that final defender and walk in for the try.
I don’t mind kicking when it’s really static. It’s difficult to break down Test defences when you don’t have momentum in the game.
But it seems like England are recognising scenarios from training where ‘this is what we are going to do’, regardless of the opposition.
I started to feel England were getting away from that in the autumn and previously in last year’s Six Nations where they have been ‘full metal jacket’ ready to attack.
The first line break came towards the end of the first half when they had a bit of territory and possession. Marcus Smith went through the middle, but the top teams finish those opportunities off and they are the bits that will frustrate them.
England have really talented, skilful individuals and I would like to see them take a bit more calculated risk.
I love their openness and honesty after the game. They knew they hadn’t played at their capabilities but they really did dig in, particularly around defence. It was incredibly sound and dominant and it gave them a chance.
They have needed a bounce of the ball in the past couple of games, which didn’t go their way in the autumn, but they are showing the same fight and commitment and getting their reward.
