England coach Stuart Lancaster remained optimistic after his side survived a "massive scare" against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday.
Italy fought back from 15-3 to leave England desperately defending their own try line in the final 10 minutes, meaning the hosts kept their Grand Slam hopes alive going into next weekend's title decider against Wales in Cardiff.
"We're delighted to get the win, but relieved. We will have to improve in some areas for the Wales game," said Lancaster.
"No one's been punching the air - it's a quiet changing room. We thought that with a strong start to the second half we could pull away, but Italy played very well in that last 20.
"We had a few guys off with injuries including Geoff Parling and Joe Launchbury, so we need to get back into the camp and check on everyone's condition and then get the selection right for Wales.
"Our intent to play and our attacking shape was there, as was our desire to defend. That phase of play on 75 minutes [defending our own line] was outstanding.
"We'll take the positives but also the things we need to do better. There was though a lot of good stuff to build on so we're not overly depressed."
Highlighting where England fell short, Lancaster focused on a lack of control in the build-up to Luke McLean's score for the visitors, along with England's failure to finish off their chances.
"Our composure coming out of our own half all lead to a poor delivery, poor kick and poor defence that gave them an easy try," added Lancaster.
"I thought we created plenty of opportunities but didn't finish them. Our execution was missing.
"We expected that performance from Italy. Around [Sergio] Parisse the rest of the team grew and you saw the strides they've made. Gone are the days when Italy are beaten easily and we certainly didn't think it would be easy."
England forwards coach Graham Rowntree expressed the coaching staff's relief at clinching the result, specifically with the key lineout steal from Courtney Lawes with time running out.
"Massive is an understatement," said Rowntree.
"We've come through a massive scare there and credit must go to the lads for coming through that. The word 'lottery' is used often when it comes to scrums and it swung both ways today.
England coach Andy Farrell looked ahead to next weekend's meeting in Cardiff by stating that the young English squad would face one of their biggest challenges so far handling the pressure and emotion of going for a Grand Slam.
"We don't talk about favourites. We've not got six days to make sure our preparations are spot on," said Farrell.
"We've had our moments where we have played well and we are four from four, which isn't a bad place to be in.
"Everything is down to that last game and then form goes out the window. It will be another big step for our boys to go down there and handle the emotion and pressure on the day."
By Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
carpelone says...
I would not read too much in yesterday's game. England's focus was already on the Wales game. Only six days to go is way too little to accomodate two strong performance. Second row is now an issue, with Launchbury underperforming and Parling injured.
Posted 10:04 11th March 2013
Headhunter99 says...
Not a good performance at all yesterday, Italy were certainly fired up and had a point to prove. A number of the England players wilted under the expectation of an easy victory at home !!! Not these days.
I do think this side is being over hyped by the media and some people on the PR forums. I think its interesting that of the 4 games so far only against Scotland were we looking comfortable at Twickenham. We possibly perform better away at the moment where not as much is expected. I am a little fed up with the constant carping and sniping going on, perhaps we should follow the Wales model and lose 7 on the spin before re-emerging as the greatest side in the NH as some believe.
I do agree with a number of others on this forum that Ashton needs to be dropped and then fight to get his place back. May.Wade and Biggs would be my choice and I think Goode should be benched with either Brown or Foden coming in at 15. As for Flood,again he demonstrates at the vital moment he does not have the "bottle" to be an international 10 Farrel, Burns or Ford are the future.
I'm going to Cardiff next week with a feeling of relief, Wales will be expected to win and they can have the pressure.
Finally, and I know its a little longwinded the officiating this campaign has been awful and every side has been affected but instead of moaning about it we need to see if anyone has any answer to the rubbish way the refs are managing the games.
Posted 08:13 11th March 2013
startledwombat says...
I assume this sort of thing does nothing to change the views of Ashton and others that being World Champions is inevitable and just a matter of time?
It's times like these where a smidgeon of humility ought to creep into the grey matter.
Posted 04:33 11th March 2013
melkdave says...
The only real posatives are England didnt lose,against a Italy back to their best,and made 2-3 clear try scoring chances,and somehow butchuered them.This scare hopefully will focus England now,on just what they have to do next week,aginst Wales.C.Ashton should be dropped ,and Varndel or wade or my preferance atm T.Biggs brought in.I know massive game ect ,but his a try scorer and can tackle like barritt,and ok under the high ball.
Posted 02:00 11th March 2013
NHSaints says...
Well what was clearly displayed today was that too much defending was left to the back row, second row and Barritt which meant that they were all knackered going forward so we didn't get any front foot momentum with the ball in hand. Care's box kicking was 30% of the level it needed to be at and we were exposed on that front. Goode and Ashton weren't good at all, Ashton should have set back for the Italy try and Goode was his all round, boring, average self...We need FODEN, BROWN and either MAY or WADE in the back 3, no back 3 should be designed around kick chases and returns like ours is, back 3's are for scoring tries and joining the line or going on great counter attacks, Goode offers nothing in attack (realistically), Foden's countering and finishing are second to none, Brown's kick catches and returns are majestic and May or Wade would give us the out and out pace and finishing ability to shred other sides. Haskell was non existent and needs to be replaced with croft, Youngs was shown up by a strong Italian pack who don't take backwards steps against wayward charges, Lawes showed himself again to be probably the best second row in England, if not Europe when he came on and last but not least Marler should start considering how solid he was against Ireland when we're up against a monumental Welsh scrum. Fair play to Italy though, they're a quality side now.
Posted 22:16 10th March 2013
gnlr says...
several players were found out today, the worst offenders were Care Flood and Goode. Robshaw looked average, they will need a massivr improvemant for next weekend !!!!
Posted 18:57 10th March 2013