Stuart Lancaster was content with England's performance in their 38-18 win over Scotland, but admitted there was work to be done.
England ran in four tries and dominated the contact area against the Scots, yet were unable to take a number of opportunities in each half.
Travelling next weekend to face Ireland in Dublin, Lancaster admits that the fixture will be a significant step up and one that England will be ready for.
"I'm pleased for the players, but there's plenty of work to do," said Lancaster.
"I was happy with the start but then we conceded the early try - it was poor execution, a poor kick and a poor chase which has hurt us in the past so we need to work on that.
"We are delighted with the way he (Twelvetrees) took it to get the try but his confidence and composure has been good all week. It shows he is ready to make the step.
"This time last year we had seven players making their debuts and with Billy making his we have a young side. We are bringing on 20-odd-year-olds and it is great for us as a squad.
"With Manu coming back into the equation - which we're pretty sure he will - we have got some selection dilemmas.
"People underestimate how long it takes to pull a cohesive team together. We needed to create a new sense of direction off the field which we have done. There have been ups and downs but we have always learnt as we've gone along.
"The last two weeks have been invaluable in going over the lessons we learned in the autumn. Our cohesion was excellent and it has given us a good foundation to go into Dublin.
"Clearly we will have to step up. Ireland are an outstanding side and their first-half performance today shows it's a big step up. We went there two years ago on the back of four from four and came home with our tails between our legs.
Lancaster added that the extent of Ben Morgan's injury would be revealed in the next 24 hours, after the number eight was forced off with an ankle sprain.
"It's not too serious but it's also too early to tell how long he will be out for," stated Lancaster.
Attack coach Mike Catt was delighted with the performances of Owen Farrell, who picked up the Man of the Match award after another strong performance at Twickenham, and also debutant Billy Twelvetrees who finished with a try on debut.
"That mental toughness that [Owen] possess was obvious again today," said Catt.
"He produced quick ball continually and we had Scotland on the rack two or three times which gave the guys like Billy and Brad the chance to work on the front foot.
"The nice thing [with Twelvetrees] was his urgency - he wanted to get his hands on the ball. He has done the basics extremely well."
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
BananaBok says...
Mike Catt is pure quality, and obviously making strides with the team as the attack coach. England looking really dangerous and not afraid to move the ball.
Posted 13:12 04th February 2013
craigsman says...
Propmelsey - If you have a thought inside your head in the next few days, I think it is best to keep it there.
Posted 12:25 04th February 2013
APV1 says...
I wouldn't change much for next week:
Cole - Hartley - Marler (Wilson, Youngs & Vunipola on the bench)
Launchbury & Parling (Lawes on the bench)
Wood, Robshaw (c) & Morgan (Haskell on the bench. If Morgan's crocked, start Haskell, with Vunipola on the bench)
9 - Youngs (Care on the bench)
10 - Farrell (Burns on the bench)
11 - Foden
12 - Twelvetrees (Barritt or Goode on the bench..?)
13 - Tuilagi
14 - Ashton
15 - Brown
Posted 11:58 04th February 2013
physiodan says...
I know Englands policy is to play with 2 fullbacks at present but dear god this was not the right decision. Brown and Goode lack the out and out pace needed on the wing and they don't make up for this in their stature either. Please Lancaster play one at FB and bring in a specialist winger who will add a dynamic edge. Although Brown tries his hardest, it was said in the commentary so many times "Brown just couldn't get away". He was even beat to the ball by Parling ;)
The rest of the team functioned well and I would be tempted to start with the same team (barr Goode or Brown) for some continuity and have Manu on the bench if fit and have him running at a tired Ireland (probably the last thing BOD will want).
Posted 11:36 04th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
@leftrightout :-) I'm looking forward to the day. Or perhaps "we can put in a worse performance next week and still win it, we were that good".
Posted 11:34 04th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
And Biggs on bench instead of Goode/Strettle. Don't need a 3rd 15 on bench. Strettle will be the choice I guess. Irish wingers are not big so fine with me.
Posted 11:05 04th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ben7: agree. But swap Foden and Brown 15/11. Foden is great at 11.
Posted 10:54 04th February 2013
Propmelsey says...
With his wealth of rugby knowledge i suspect that jim telfer was spinning around on his camode with delight at the scotish performance. As for myself, being an England supporter, i thought the scots we a complete load of DROSS it was a disgrace to call it a game for the Calcutta Cup ... a total joke!!.... a training game would have been more benificial to England than having to entertain that lot ..... Hoping for some decent oposition next week ..... Expect us to win by a similar margin though.
Posted 08:00 04th February 2013
LeftRightOut says...
Just out of interest, has any international coach ever said that there is NO work to be done? Maybe something along the lines of "we are as good as I want to be so I won't be looking at improving the team..."
Posted 23:18 03rd February 2013
ben7 says...
Forwards should stay the same. But backline needs a few changes
9 youngs
10 farrell
11 brown
12 twelvetrees
13 tuilagi
14 ashton
15 foden
Care, burns/flood, and goode on the bench
Posted 23:03 03rd February 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Lets put our win into perspective. We've beaten probably the weakest team in the tournament at home. We will have a much better idea of our progress after we've played Ireland in Ireland.
Posted 21:34 03rd February 2013
NHsaints says...
Goode was very poor, I've been saying it from the start of the autumn, as soon as Foden is back to form stick him in that 15 jersey or stick him in Brown's Jersey and move Brown to 15...otherwise a very solid performance from a shaken up midfield and great return to form for Ashton. We need to chase our kicks better and take all our chances but otherwise we were very good. Swap Hartley for Youngs on a game by game basis to keep it fresh, otherwise onwards to Ireland!
Posted 17:09 03rd February 2013
tvaddict says...
For the next game I'd keep the same starting XV as I don't believe in changing a winning team too much, but I would put Tuilagi on the bench instead of Strettle. If Barritt is weak on attack again then I'd consider having Tuilagi start at 13 for the game after that. Same for Goode really, another poor game and we should move Brown to 15 and bring either Foden or Biggs in at 11. Also, if Morgan is injured I'd prefer us to bring Vunipola in at 8 rather than Haskell as I think we need a strong ball carrier in the backrow.
Posted 14:21 03rd February 2013
Haldir says...
I think Foden should be given a start, but retain Al Goode on the bench. Then start 12T + Manu, as MT could contain BOD, and 12T has the creativity to spark something round the aging Irish centres. Freddie Burns would be a great option here, from the bench, as he offers something entirely different to Farrell. This will be a massive game, as Ireland are a more fearsome prospect at home, but the proper battle will be between the back rows, and the influence that Heaslip + O'Brien are allowed will go a long way to deciding the winners.
Posted 12:10 03rd February 2013
melkdave says...
England will have to improve to beat Ireland ,i think everyone will agree on that.We where just to loose in ball retention in attack really ,and allowed Scotland a breakaway try because of it.Pretty sure SLand Co will work on it,and hopefully England will again improve,every game ive said England seem to be making little improvments,and today i think we saw some of the potential in this side,if /when they get it all together ,They will contenders come 2015.In fact im a little surprised at the amount of progress England seem to have made to be honest so far.
Posted 23:27 02nd February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Foden also brings a yard of pace. Scotts had that on us, and we need fast chasers under/following the kicks.
Posted 22:43 02nd February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Cohesion should improve if Manu comes in at 13 with 12/3s at 12. They've played at Leicester. Tough on Barritt but I think it makes sense. Agree Goode was poor defence and attack. Foden deserves his chance. Only other change I would consider is Hartley for Youngs. Keep rotating. Hartley brings some much needed caps / leadership. No more changes than that. If Morgan is needed Haskell and bring in Guest as Morgans squad replacement.
Posted 22:40 02nd February 2013
1st58 says...
TT did well but we missed Manu - Goode should be dopped, and although Farrell did well, this will become a much better side when Freddie Burns is fit and selected.
Haskell, Lawes and Vunipola all did v well from the bench.
Posted 20:34 02nd February 2013
LondonWasp says...
much work to be done if we want to beat ireland.....
Posted 19:02 02nd February 2013