England looked better against New Zealand but the jury remains out

Martin Johnson will stride into his debrief with Rob Andrew over the coming days confident that his side are set to mount a challenge for the 2010 Six Nations rugby title, a campaign that kicks off for England with a home match against Wales on Feb 6.

That bullishness is borne of chastening experience, and although not shared by many on the outside, Johnson is resolute in his belief that the journey through adversity over the past three weeks has brought a significant yield.

I like to take people on and run from my own line and, if England do not agree with that style of rugby, I am not their man." England may not be playing well, but their two home matches in next year's Six Nations hospitalityare already sell-outs and all the hospitality for the first game, against Wales in February, have been taken. Australia and New Zealand are not so fortunate commercially and they will express their concerns about the stagnancy of the game on the field at this weekend's gathering of the International Rugby Board's general assembly in Dublin, followed by a meeting of the council.

"You can talk tactics until the cows come home but it's collective will that wins you games," Johnson said. "The players' reaction to the previous week showed that they are together, with several, such as Mark Cueto, coming through with big leadership roles. The players have set a tone. We know if we want to compete with the best, we have to improve."

England's spirited, if limited, performance against New Zealand did not deliver a stay of execution for Johnson for the simple reason that the blade was never poised to slice into that prominent neck.

Johnson did not need an endorsement from RFU chairman Martyn Thomas, for barring a calamitous defeat against the All Blacks, Twickenham is backing its man right through to the 2010 Six Nation Rugby World Cup.

That there was the edgy prospect hanging in the air of a hammering from the All Blacks illustrates that mediocrity is the current default mode of English rugby.

There are still compelling questions to address, notably where have all the tries gone? For the second autumn series in succession, England have only mustered one try against the major southern hemisphere sides.

Wilkinson stands too deep, negating any challenge on the gain line. His kicking from hand was once again flawed, either inaccurate or meaningless. Wilkinson, after his heroics against Australia, will expect better of himself in the Six Nations rugby .

Lewis Moody, too, is a welcome presence, as is the gung-ho attitud of James Haskell, mistakes aside. Captain Steve Borthwick had a more productive afternoon. Scrum-half Paul Hodgson has merit, while Cueto's contribution has been impressive. The early knee ligament injury to Joe Worsley was unfortunate, but Croft is no slouch.

Johnson names a 32-man squad for the Six Nations rugby on Jan 5. The championship is already shaping up to be a real testing ground for England. Johnson has the faith. Up in the Twickenham stands, the jury is still out.

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