Johnson Reflects on Promising Year

The season may have ended with an eye-opening defeat but England coach Martin Johnson has plenty of reasons to be positive after a successful 2010.

The loss to South Africa in their final autumn international was England fifth of the year to leave them with a record of played 11, won five, lost five, drawn one.

But compared to an injury ravaged 2009, those following the live match score centre will agree that there has been definite progress this year, despite near identical match records, with youngsters like Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, Chris Ashton becoming regulars for club and country.

The team has had a fresher, fitter look about it and the culmination of 12 months work was rewarded with that impressive 35-18 demolition of Australia in November. A sure fire sign that England are at least heading towards the sort of performance levels required if they are to challenge for the World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Before then though is the RBS Six in Nations in February. Eight years will have passed since England last lifted the six Nations title – the same year they became World champions -  but the presence of three home games in the fixture list has raised hopes ahead of the 2011 tournament.

However trips to Wales and Ireland, where they haven’t had the greatest record in recent years, should be enough to reel in expectations raised after the Australia result.

The Friday night opener in front of a partisan Cardiff crowd in particular will perhaps dictate where England will eventually finish up. It is certainly one to pay a close eye on when looking at the Latest Six Nations  scores in a couple of months time.

But it is a tournament he can look forward to with confidence rather than trepidation after a year of progress and promise.