Tuesday 9 February 2016 06:32, UK
Will Greenwood rates England's win over Scotland and says Wales will feel aggrieved with their draw against Ireland.
England got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start under new coach Eddie Jones with a 15-9 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield securing the Calcutta Cup.
Jones was delighted with the win and has already claimed England will be targeting a big win over Italy next time out. However, Greenwood says that while a win is a good start to the new era, there is still a lot of work to do.
"It's a pleasing win - a seven out of ten," said Greenwood on the Rugby Club Wrap-Up.
"It was not England's finest performance but it was a job done. I would not say that I was underwhelmed by England's performance but just that there is more to come.
"I thought some of the Saracens guys were fantastic - George Kruis is developing into a really top class second rower and ran the lineout exceptionally well. Then Billy Vunipola was just huge in terms of ball carrying."
Jones has been adamant that England will get back to their strengths - mainly the set-piece; an area they were found wanting in during their disastrous World Cup campaign. Greenwood was impressed with the lineout but says the jury is still out on the scrum.
"England have been wanting to get back to world class performances in terms of that set piece. Their lineout can go straight in there and be ranked as one of the best in this tournament.
"The scrum, well we shall see as it goes on. England were strong but it was not one of those performances where the bunting is out and we are celebrating a Grand Slam early. It's a case of a tricky fixture managed well."
Greenwood believes that Scotland will be frustrated when they review the game as they did not turn their pressure into points.
"I felt that England were in control for most periods of that game but I think Scotland will be hugely disappointed.
"The scrum, well we shall see us it goes on. England were strong but it was not one of those performances where the bunting is out and we are celebrating a Grand Slam early. It's a case of a tricky fixture managed well."
"Their high ball was not great, their lineout let them down and Tommy Seymour who is usually an outstanding defender made a couple of errors.
"It always puts you under pressure when you lose at home. I did think there were some positives - Stuart Hogg was strong and I like Johnny Gray. I thought John Hardie and John Barclay in tandem worked well and disrupted the breakdown. WP Nel is still a strong scrummager but if you are spilling highballs and your lineout is not functioning then it is a struggle. I think Scotland will be frustrated by their performance."
Brutal Test match
Scotland next head to Cardiff where they take on Wales who will also be disappointed with their slow start against Ireland. They went 13-0 down at the Aviva Stadium before fighting back to record a 16-16 draw.
"I thought it was a really good Test match - really physical and brutal," added England's 2003 World Cup winning centre.
"Ireland were outstanding in that early passage of play - and they were forceful, direct and really took the game to Wales. CJ Stander was a knock-out at six.
"Then for me there was a big turning point and that was the tackle of Keith Earls on Liam Williams which was adjudged to be a tip tackle. Wales got the penalty and were back into it. I thought Taulupe Faletau was magnificent with his pick-up and go for his try.
"I think in the end Ireland will take the draw, I think Wales probably shaded it but Ireland's great start put them in a position where they would have been gutted to have lost it from.
"You will have to play very well to beat these two."
Lack of French fizz
Ireland's next outing is against France at the Stade de France, and Greenwood says it was a very disappointing display from the French who narrowly beat Italy 23-21.
"It's Italy and it is at home - you want to see more than glimpses. The great revolution just did not happen. They fizzed on occasion but they looked disjointed and like a bunch of individuals rather than a team. You can't deny their effort - no one is saying that they were not out there trying their best to win but they were too isolated and individuals trying to do it all on their own.
"The one standout for me was Virimi Vakatawa - welcome to world rugby. Things just happen in and around him. It was a typical French selection but it has worked wonderfully well."
Italy were once again led by the inspirational Sergio Parisse who had his usual huge impact on the game. His drop-goal attempt with time up on the clock was poorly executed but Greenwood defended the 32-year-old, claiming he did not really have a choice.
"I don't think he was being bossy or over domineering by taking that drop-goal attempt," added Greenwood.
"I think the scrum-half has missed his fly-half because he [Kelly Haimona] has looped around to set up another ruck on the left hand side of the posts for a right handed kick.
"Parisse has ended up with the ball in his hands and he is thinking Zinzan Brooke.
"I think it would be incredibly harsh if you didn't watch Parisse's performance as an out-and-out No 8 and think 'wow'. If he was in the All Black side he would be pushing Kieran Read for the starting jersey. He is absolutely world class."
