England through for rematch against convicts

Well that wasn't as bad as many of us feared! Our thanks to the Sackster for 2 very smartly taken tries which pulled England clear when we looked like making heavy weather of the whole match.

The backline also looked better this time - at least it did once Barkley went off. Nothing against the Bath man, he has looked alright as Jonny's stand-in at stand-off, but with Tait alongside its too featherlight in the centre. And the choice between the two is a no-contest, see Tait's try for details. So expect to see Faz in there for the Aussies, perhaps as the biff to match Mortlock.

Elsewhere the back row is not right yet as the Hooker predicted. Mongo did his usual headless stuff, charging about and was effective at the breakdown. It would be fun to see him in tandem with Rees, and I think we will need both against George Smith this weekend. I would leave Easter in, he may just be improving after all, and drop Cozza.

Mind you, my name isn't John Wells.

As for the front 5, if we are to have any chance against the Governor's Prison XV, we shall have to bring back Shaw for more biff, retain Stevens for his better scrummaging and go at the Aussies hard in the scrum. I shall preview the game later in the week, but you heard it here first.