England's rugby team need a kick up the backside

And not a metaphorical one at that. Saturday's match against the USA was a great chance for us to develop some confidence, get some tries and points under our belts, and generally show the public what we could do. Unfortunately, it was a typically inept English performance. We lacked direction in midfield, and this was nothing to do with the absence of one Jonny Wilkinson. His replacement Olly Barkley had a good game, but those around him did not cover themselves in glory. Shaun Perry looked laboured and continually slowed the game down, whereas when Peter Richards came on he tried to put some pace in the game. Mike Catt and Jamie Noon were fairly annonymous all match, despite Catt's kick which put Robinson in for his try, which you feel any player could have made there was that much space! I also failed to follow the thinking of playing a wing at fullback, and two players who can play fullback, on the wing. At least Ahston has sorted this scenario by moving Robinson to fullback and bringing Sackey in on the wing.

One new problem to emerge is that of an injury to Olly Barkley in training, which puts him in doubt for Friday's game with South Africa. Who would play fly-half with Jonny out as well. You would imagine Mike Catt as he has experience there, or possibly Josh Lewsey also has some experience there, but you wouldn't throw Andy Farrell in there, or would Ashton do that. To be honest, no-one knows! The other doubt is Phil Vickery, the captain, after he was cited for foul play in the USA game. Let's hope he is available, as we need some experience and brute force out there against the very physical Boks.

Up front we were also slow and laboured, which did contribute somewhat to the slow service by Perry. Dallaglio and Worsley have been dropped, and Nick Easter, who should have started on Saturday is in at number 8, with Martin Corry restored to the side at blindside flanker. I hope Easter will improve things, but I am not sure about Corry. Tom Rees at openside had a storming game, and will look to continue with where he left off. He offers pace and aggression, something we don't have much of.

All in all, good luck England. We're going to need it!