It is amazing what you can achieve in sport ‘ in extremis ’ and although England didn ’ t land the Championship which they craved , they will have learned a great deal about what can be achieved when you really want it — and need it . England were fantastic on Saturday and if they can draw from the experience , this can be a fantastic year for English rugby — and indeed British and Irish rugby , because Wales and champions Ireland were quite exceptional as well on the final day of the tournament . England cut loose in thrilling fashion and they will never be quite the same players again . They know now for certain that there is another level they can perform to and the Twickenham crowd know that as well . England can hold their heads high and go forward with real confidence after near miss . The shackles really came off and it was really great to watch . Wales and Ireland also found a new level — 211 points in total were scored in the three games —to set what looked like a nigh on impossible target . Very few pundits would have predicted that England would kick off needing to beat France by 26 points , which was a huge ask but a very useful exercise in concentrating the mind on a very specific task when you feel free to empty the tanks and leave nothing on the pitch . Ben Youngs jumps for joy after scoring the first try of the match on Saturday evening . Although England started with the encouragement of an early try , they started chasing the big score a little bit too early and got too loose . You want the game too open up a little to create space but you still have to remember defensive discipline and in the first 20 minutes England missed nine tackles , which is always going to spell trouble against any French side . France nipped in for those two tries from Noa Nakitaci — even if he was taking the concept of going in under the posts a little far for the second ! And that rocked England back a little but they stayed positive and did really well , firstly to get back in the game and then to chase for the title . George Ford slides on to his right side as he scores England 's fourth try of the afternoon . 1 There is a chance England ’ s World Cup pool will be decided by points difference . Games between England , Australia and Wales are likely to be close which places an onus on big wins over Fiji and Uruguay . 2 The England pack aren ’ t quite as dominant as we thought . They need to go up a gear and the return of Joe Launchbury and Alex Corbisiero should help . With the England forwards controlling affairs up front — as they did in the last autumn against the Aussies — I would be confident of England beating Australia . 3 England have found their World Cup fly-half in George Ford and pretty much have the back division in place except for the debate over the 12 slot . A fit-again Manu Tuilagi would come into the equation as will Owen Farrell . 4 England ’ s backrow still lacks pace and can look unbalanced . Lesser teams can be overpowered but is hugely important against the very best . The only readymade solution is bringing Steffon Armitage in but unless the RFU invoke their curious ‘ special circumstances ’ clause that isn ’ t going to happen . 5 Look out for Wales . They have taken the long view this year and are determined to peak in Autumn which is possibly why the intensity wasn ’ t there against England in February . They are beginning to get the bit between their teeth . They all stuck with the task superbly well . Ben Youngs was the catalyst for everything good and had a quite stunning game — it was brilliant to watch . His second try summed it up perfectly . If you look at the replay today you will see that it was Youngs who took the quick , surprise line-out throw , right back on his line and it was the Leicester scrum half who finished off England ’ s sustained attack 110 yards upfield under the French posts . It was inspired play , the stuff of champions and exactly the kind of bold , positive play that will be needed for 80 minutes to win a World Cup . The crowd got right in behind it all with their support and there was an energy at Twickenham I haven ’ t felt for a while . This must be the norm in terms of intensity and atmosphere at every England game from now on . Ultimately , it wasn ’ t quite enough , not least because this was the day — and the ‘ loose ’ occasion — on which France seemed to rediscover their attacking mojo . Some of their handling and attacking play was out of the top drawer . James Haskell ’ s yellow card in the second half didn ’ t help and towards the end there when England were pressing hard again two line-outs went AWOL . Small margins but important . These are the things that England must still work on but they can hold their heads high and go forward with real confidence . Jack Nowell finishes off another flowing England move to score his country 's fifth try against France .
England cut loose in thrilling fashion against France on February . Players know now that there is another level they can perform to . Coach Stuart Lancaster can move forward with real confidence .