Looking good for England Rugby, Martin Johnson and Danny Cipriani
Last updated 11/10/2008 2:13:12 PM
Martin Johnson and Danny Cipriani
The big brooding Martin Johnson began his career as England Rugby Union coach full of optimism for the future after the gentle demolition of the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham.
It was a comfortable win ( 39-13) and just the right sort of warm up for the Australians a week later when the challenge will be that much stronger.
It is impossible to judge Johnson on this, his first, match or even the second against the Wallabies, but everyone will be looking for signs that he can impose himself on his team just as he did as a player in leading them to World Cup victory.
Johnson himself has lots to do around the forwards and, in particular, the scrum but the real development of this England side could be in the backs where coach Brian Smith is already having a positive effect, as was amply displayed when Danny Care ran a penalty from within his own 22.
Ugo Monye, Delon Armitage and Paul Sackey all impressed with Sackey, not one of the youngsters, showing the strides he has made not only with his attacking wing play but also his defensive work which will be tested to the full against the likes of the Aussies and the Kiwis.
There is also the partnership of the colourful Danny Cipriani and his former partner in age grade rugby, Danny Care, while Cipriani also has a fine understanding with Riki Flutey which could develop with both Wasps and England.
Cipriani was not at his best, and even gave away a try, but his influence is massive and although he gave himself only five out of ten he still managed to rack up 19 points.
His selection was totally understandable as he needs games to recover his true form after that awful ankle injury which threatened his career last season.