ENGLAND MATCH REPORTS



POOL A LENS, SAT 8th SEPT - ENGLAND 28 USA 10

STUTTERING performances in Six Nations tournaments, and fifteen defeats in sixteen, away from Twickenham have seen England plummet from 1st to seventh ranked in the world.
England's handling - so clean and clinical in the Clive Woodward era - has been error strewn ever since, and indicative of their fall from grace over the last four years.
Rien n'a changé in Lens on Saturday evening, as part-timers USA Eagles took England all the way, before gallantly going down by only 28-10.
By all accounts, this was one of England's worst performances in recent memory, and not the sort of display to instill confidence in them or the 30,000 fans that flocked to northern France.
Hoping to see their side honing their play ahead of the South African match on Friday (14th), the fans, instead witnessed a laboured display of desperation and lethargy.
Stalwarts like Number 8, Lawrence Dallaglio was off the pace and played with the turning circle of a ten ton tanker, though I won't tell him that to his face! While Josh Lewsey was a pale shadow of the blond bomber in the 2003 Final.
Winning his 50th cap and leading the side out, Lewsey was one of the main culprits for handling errors.
The powerful US pack were more than a match for England, and harrased them all the way.
With a try count of only 3 to 1, England were just hopeless. But, the yellow carding of centre Vahafolau Esikia was as expected, costly for the Eagles.
England took full advantage, with first half tries for Jason Robinson and the impressive Bath Fly Half Olly Barkley, who converted his own try and kicked a penalty to give his side a 15 point lead during Esikia's 10 minute absence. But, with a healthy 21-3 lead at the break, the dominant second half display just didn't happen
Promising Flanker Tom Rees bagged a further try, but that was it as far as England were concerned. The ignominy of England's display was highlighted when prop replacement Moeakiola went over for a try in the 74th minute - vociferous cheers rang out from everyone in the crowd, including the massed ranks of England fans who had hoped to see far better from their side. If they play like that against South Africa, Springboks like Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger will rampage their way through for fun.

POOL A PARIS, FRI 14th SEPT - ENGLAND 0 SOUTH AFRICA 36

ENGLAND are still stuck on that Trafalgar Square bus from 2003. Where countries like Australia will have moved on the next day after winning the World Cup - and planned meticulously for their defence, England have basked in too much glory and lost so much ground in a wasted four years.
That South Africa were going to beat England on Friday night, was never going to be in doubt; they have strength in depth and world class match winners across the board, whereas, unlike 2003, England have none.
Even talisman Johnny Wilkinson's kicking prowess has been usurped by the likes of New Zealand's Dan Carter and Springbok Percy Montgomery - more of him later!
Only the bloodied Jason Robinson could walk away with his head held high after the 36-0 defeat, and he was hobbling after pulling up with a strained hamstring. Starting at full back, Robinson felt the full brunt of South Africa's forwards with a right eye injury that oozed blood, but it was his jinking runs that were the one highlight of England's gloomy display.
Ironically, the World Champions fared well in the scrums and line out, and had slightly more possession, but they kept on losing it, with abject handling and woefully short kicking.
South Africa, though were ruthless. Superior in all departments, they can now be considered a serious bet to challenge for the title. Scrum half Fourie de Preez was their stand out player.
The Blue Bulls star held a masterclass with distribution and intelligent kicking that either reached touched from afar, or sailed high to trouble England's inexperienced back line - in which the anonymous Paul Sackey was making his World Cup debut.
Du Preez also had a hand in each of his side's three tries. He worked well with the impressive JP Pietersen to set up huge flanker Juan Smith for the first try on six minutes, and passed to Pietersen for two further tries, when the game was already won.
The result was never in doubt with both Percy Montgomery and youngster Francois Steyn deadly accurate between the posts. The fact that the Springboks could switch between kickers at will, shows a confidence and strength in depth that should take them far.
For England, the aftermath couldn't get any worse - but it did: Centre Jamie Noon misses the rest of the tournament , after damaging knee ligaments, and they go into Saturday's encounter with Samoa, needing to win like never before.

POOL A PARIS, SAT 22nd SEPT - ENGLAND 44 SAMOA 22

IT Was a job quite well done on Saturday afternoon, and though England will surely not get much further in the competition, at least they made a better fist of things then before.
The World Champions needed a good start, and they got it, with Martin Correy charging through for a try in the opening minutes. Johnny Wilkinson followed up with a conversion and penalty to give England a comfortable 10.0 lead.
Though they eventually lost their way a little, there was a resilience from an England side that hadn't been side in ages. With the Samoan Loki Crichton kicking five penalties, and the scrum half Junior Polu going over for a debateable try, the French 'neutrals' sensing their arch enemies were on the ropes, belted out 'Allez les Bleus'.
But sadly for them, England were in no mood to be floored. When Samoa had closed to within 4 points at 26-22 just after the break, Fly Half Johnny Wilkinson responded with a drop goal and slowly but surely the champions pulled away.
The Newcastle man had an inspired game - kicking 24 points and setting up 3 of the 4 tries. His tackling was immense; his general play inspiring to his team , with the defence soundly keeping the Samoan flurries away.
With three further tries, including two from speed merchant Paul Sackey, England scooped a valuable bonus point and a morale boosting, and ultimately, comfortable win.