Seeing is believing, as they say. This was the occasion when the stars aligned for England and justified the entire bold talk of an imminent takeoff. It is real, after all. It is not just an illusion.
Look at the score. Look again. What an impressive statement. It was almost perfection, out of home, in a place of fervent hostility, where ghosts of horrors pass in every corner. It can rarely end second in the six nations has arrived with such an attached justifiable euphoria. France did the work against Scotland to avoid a touch of late title, but England produced a result for the ages.
His hordes of fans in Cardiff had seen him, but they could barely believe it. This observer received a half -time message that said: “Where the hell is this England?” He summarized the mood of joyful joy. To think that only a few weeks before, Alex Mitchell was being booed by a flood of boxes against Scotland on Twickenham.
In front of our eyes, Maro Itje and CO became a gang of murderers and delivered ruthless execution. He pushed everything in a deeper darkness, while suggesting that the future of England is brighter than anyone could have imagined, before this tournament began, thoroughly seven losses in 12 tests last year.
For so long, there was a challenge from inside the camp, since critics aligned to have shots. They had insisted that a superior team was ready to explode, but it was not evident to the world in general. England was training the house, apparently, but did not deliver in matches. They were playing well and winning by little, or escaping to victory despite the clumsy performances. They were like a student who checked diligently and effectively, just to unravel in exams.
Not anymore. This test was approved with an emphatic distinction and guarantees acclamation as an independent feat, even if a trophy was not secured. It was one of the most dominant victories in England of this or any era, against a leading nation. Of course, Wales is in a disappointment at this time, but they almost bother Ireland in the third round, so this was supposed to be a tense and close encounter.
England sent a message to the world of rugby with its dominant exhibition in Cardiff
This was a performance that defined the time and showed that this young team is cooking a storm.
The Maro Iteje murderers is now ready to be unleashed in the strongest competition
That theory did not survive the first quarter. England took the initiative and never released it. The desire to replicate its superiority in each facet was notable for the view. It was a brutal masterpiece that produced the largest winning margin since Sir Clive Woodward's team enrutized Italy 80-23 in 2001. When France beat Azzurri 73-24 in Rome last month, it was considered as a marking of England could not wait, but now they have surpassed it.
All those who are out of the configuration yearned for evidence of progress and this was, with bells put. Now, after 10 attempts and a fuss of strength and precision of attack, everyone can believe them.
BACK TO EVALUATE THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CAMPAIGN AND PROGRESS It can be identified in so many areas, starting with the Captaincy. Jamie George took it off and Maro Itoje was quickly installed. He has done such an impressive job that the Saracenos lock is now being promoted as the favorite to lead the lions in Australia; A role that seemed to be that of Caelan Doris to take until recently. Itoje has led with the example, he communicated well with the officials and had a statesman air.
England abandoned Blitz's defense that had become a responsibility during the autumn nations series and that was also a positive step. They granted more points than France, but not many, and resolved with problems as the championship advanced, to iron the problems in the system. It is still a work in progress, but that task will become easier once Joe El-ABD can concentrate on him full time, after a few months in charge of the French club Oyonnax.
In terms of leaders of progress, the scrum receives some beatings. What transformation. Rewind until the end of the last summer tour and Steve Borthwick lamented a shortage of pedigree heads. Now, Will Stuart has been so consistently excellent, in his basic work and beyond, that the bathroom accessory looks like the leader to claim the shirt No. 3 for the lions in their evidence against the Wallabies. Ellis Genge has also reached another personal peak.
There have been ticks in several other boxes, especially to denote a successful transition at 10, where Smith has quickly established itself as a calm director. Half Northampton's flight had his composure to conjure a late winning attempt by Elliot Daly against France, then orchestrated a great victory against Italy and an even bigger and better on Saturday. He looks in the born manner.
What else? Plenty. Borthwick recognized the need for good faith No. 8, so Tom Willis's team was a cunning and successful ploy. The rampaging Saracen has given England a different dimension with its ability to break tacle and make lands closely, which the national team has lacked.
Having both Curries, Ben and Tom, at full speed in Tandem has been another advantage for England and it would not be a surprise to see both twins to cut the lions. Borthwick's side has shown that the character will close tight games and has also solved the recurring problem of the collapses of the final quarter, partly by deploying more experience in the bank. The breakdown has been another improvement area, along with the attack in the last two games.
Steve Borthwick made cunning calls when England ended his campaign with a flowering
Now the attention is directed to the coming months, with the United States and Argentina ahead
So where from here? The rookies and the marginal men will have their opportunity in the summer, on the tour of Argentina and the United States, while leadership lights are far from the lions. The English depth table looks healthy in most positions, but there is still the need for another scrum-medium to arise as rival or insufficient for Mitchell. And Borthwick will be desperate to bring another imposing figure in the second row, where the stocks are low.
There are three quality to choose and more coverage from the center of the field now than Daly and Tommy Freeman have completed well and Fraser Dingwall has resurfaced as a test class option. Tom Roebuck is another asset in the wing and England showed power despite being without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; His innovation of the 2024 star.
George Furbank's actions have increased in their forced absence, but this was a demoralizing campaign for some family faces. Henry Slade can disappear now, while Freddie Steward is clearly seen as a last line of defense of insurance policy, against a leg team. Marcus Smith will know that it is apparently intended to function as an impact replacement and that poor Ted Hill only had a handful of minutes before being usurped in the hierarchical order of the row, where the competition is cut.
The return of four of five from England is a good result despite losing the title, which means that Borthwick's regime seems safe and made up of a change. His team fulfilled the expectations of the RFU and provided evidence of a clear and winning potential of the title, despite playing twice a letter of exit from jail on the road.
As for Wales, what a miserable disaster. What reconstruction expects. The stopover Even two tests in Japan at the end of the season now seem full of danger.
The arrival of the chief coach of the caregiver Matt Sherratt, after the abrupt departure of Warren Gatland, had a rebound effect to begin, but this was a brutal indication of an energy deficit. Wales simply does not have a monstrous size and influence, especially in the front. As always, there are some technical players in their ranks, but they were simply impressed on a larger visitor.
The victory for the Welsh under 20 years to spoil the Grand Slam crusade of England was a sign of hope for the future, but the short -term perspective is bleak. You cannot escape the fact that sport in Wales is in a serious state and who is appointed as the new WRU rugby director has a great job in their hands. It is not for the weak heart.
There were no comfort crumbs here. The score was a fair reflection of an abyss between these teams and there is a real danger that this result can seriously damage the levels of interest of the oval ball in the Principality.
As always, there is an focus on fierce rivalry with England, but this was a humiliation at home. It is not surprising that Adam Jones stood in a corridor, looking and numb with shock. Being stuck with the explosive prize of a wooden spoon is the least of the problems of Wales. This was a successive test drug and a record result and a result, which means that the cardiff Ghosts will become disturbing them instead of England.