England focus on the positives

'We have the players who can score tries'

England star Josh Lewsey insists the world champions have come a long way during their autumn Test series - despite losing to arch-rivals Australia for the first time in six years at Twickenham.

England's next game is just under 10 weeks away - a tricky RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Wales in Cardiff - and they will travel on the back of a home defeat.

But the London Wasps flyer Lewsey has delivered an upbeat verdict at the end of a year when England lost more games, six, than they won.

"We've come a long way in the last three weeks, because it's less than six months ago that we were getting thumped in Australia by 50 points," he said.

"Although it really hurts to have lost, I am sure it will be something we can learn from.

"We have been through it before, and the side that won the World Cup was so tough because of all those lost Grand Slams.

"Now we know what is needed to win these games," added Lewsey, after England succumbed 21-19 to a late Matt Giteau penalty double after they fought back to lead by four points following tries from Lewsey, his fellow wing Mark Cueto and flanker Lewis Moody.

"We've had a lot of stick about our back play - about not being creative - and the nature of the Premiership is that it's all so physical," Lewsey added.

"But we have the players who can score tries, and at times we looked very dangerous. Nineteen points unanswered shows it can be done."

England coach Andy Robinson also believes England are on the right road following an autumn series which produced a par score of two victories - over South Africa and Canada - from three starts.

"It [Six Nations] is a long way away at the moment, but I am really pleased with the way this squad has pulled together," said Robinson.

"It would be very easy to go inwards because we lost a game, very easy to panic, but that won't happen.

"We have learned a hard lesson, and I think it will make the team even tighter. It showed just what an unforgiving place international rugby is."

Giteau's goal-kicking proved in stark contrast to the England's efforts.

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson missed two straight-forward first-half penalties that England so desperately needed, given they were 12-0 adrift, while scrum-half Andy Gomarsall's missed an absolute sitter - the conversion of Moody's 50th-minute try.

Centre Mike Tindall spiritedly took up the challenge, landing two conversions, but with Hodgson off injured and Henry Paul substituted early on, England finished with no recognised kickers and found themselves going for touch, rather than goal.

"When you get to 19-15 up, as we did, we then gave two penalties away on our 10-metre line and they kicked them," added Robinson.

"We have got to think about our discipline in that area. That, to me, is potentially why we lost the game.

"We talked all week about Australia not giving up, and we said the game was going to be won in 80-plus minutes. That's what rugby is all about when you play Australia."

England, despite the quality of an ultimately fruitless fightback, will rue their first-half incompetence. In total, Robinson's men missed 11 tackles and conceded eight turnovers.

"You are constantly learning at this level. We said it was a new start, we said that we couldn't get too carried away with the win against South Africa, and that Australia would be our biggest test. It was," said skipper Jason Robinson.

England will take great heart from the displays of vice-captain Tindall, top tackler Moody and Sale Sharks predator Cueto, whose finishing ability has moved seamlessly from club rugby to the Test arena.

Above all though, they need Wilkinson fit and firing for the Six Nations. His mere presence against Wales would give England a huge lift, and Robinson fully expects to hand him the captain's armband.

"I am just a stand-in," added Robinson. "I knew that when I was asked to captain for the first game against Canada.

"As it happened, Jonny was out for the three games, and I've happily done it. It has been a great experience for me and I am sure when Jonny comes back, he will be in and we'll get behind him."