Another wild weekend of high scoring Premiership rugby indicates, besides attacking intent, either a total lack of defence, pressure or an insatiable lust for losing bonus points! Either way the sizeable crowds are loving it although the defence coaches will be tearing their hair out. The clubs seem to be taunting Steve Borthwick who will be observing, shrewdly, that International Rugby holds a different set of pressures. He is right but only partly so and given the talent at his disposal there will be no excuses to delay a process of renewal after years of square pegs in round holes- namely Farrell as a makeshift 12 more often than not, a cop out by successive coaches when he was clearly one of if not the best fly-half in the world.

So, where are we? I am sorry for Ollie Lawrence who looks better and better by the month, his variety now is standing out, take a bow Lee Blackett. He will be back – meantime the class centre in this country Henry Slade can enjoy the autumn of his career having been mismanaged for years by Eddie Jones but he can still lead England out of a midfield wilderness or perhaps morass is a better word. Will Joseph and Max Ojomoh are fast improving and have great skill, power and pace. Their decision making will improve but in my opinion play them left and right in their club rugby or when they come off the bench to gather that vital experience. Will anyone ask the clubs to do that for them? Others have been mentioned like Hartley from Saracens, but he needs a lot of development from my limited time watching him. Which brings us to Fraser DIngwall who by default seems set to start at 12. I was intrigued by his media article recently – he is a leader and a sympathetic passer of the ball and has orchestrated a stunning performance by the Saints three quarter line. So…. do not just give him a go but encourage him to set the tone – go through the middle, or run wide early, set up the play and dominate the thinking. Then we will see some shape emerging. Rather than those interminable box kicks which hardly play to Mitchell’s talents. Some people wish to see FIn Smith start, but comfortably the best 10 in England this last year is his namesake Marcus but with his injury Borthwick has reverted to type. IN any case it is the licence he gives them which matters.

For the first time in 15 years or more, in fact since George Ford then at Bath  let loose Jonathan Joseph (the Elder) and Kyle Eastmond upon an unsuspecting Premiership (though Lancaster never picked them together from memory) , can we see an England backline run free, take some risks and mirror the best of club rugby. Some disagree but for me International rugby was all about producing your best club form on a global stage, and with loads more pressure and expectation.

This is the post World Cup year that very few care about because it is all about development (e.g. Wales) or recovery (Italy) or even redemption (Scotland/Ireland for different reasons). England can make a mark here – who cares if Italy score 20, if we score 40? My predicted or hoped-for scoreline.

Oh, and Scotland to beat Wales, Ireland to beat France. 3 away wins, why not?!