England put down World Cup marker

Stuart Lancaster briefly let the emotion of the moment get to him as he celebrated England's Six Nations victory in Cardiff.

Lancaster is the cool and composed sort, and while a few minutes later he gave a considered take, the England coach very briefly let down his guard to take selfies fans after this memorable 21-16 win at the Millennium Stadium.

England were 10 points down within just a few minutes but a durable defensive display and spirited attacking performance secured them a win which defied the odds.

Rhys Webb and Anthony Watson traded first-half tries as the hosts took a 16-8 advantage into the break.

But Jonathan Joseph's dancing try and George Ford's boot changed the momentum of the match for the visitors.

"We put ourselves in a bit of a hole although we dug ourselves out and I'm just delighted," said Lancaster, who will next take on Wales at Twickenham, in the World Cup later this year.

"We dominated and left some points out there. Even at half-time I felt we were still in the game. We felt we had the edge on Wales in terms of fitness.

"The World Cup a long way off and there's a lot of time between now and then. But it's nice to be stood in this stadium listening to 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'."

Captain Chris Robshaw, one of only four players to start this match who started England's 3-30 defeat in Cardiff two years ago, admitted England's attitude was the most pleasing element of the win.

"Look at those first 20 minutes, a lesser side could've crumbled. But we didn't. We regrouped and lifted out intensity," he said.

"I thought the guys defended brilliantly and really took the challenge on.

"We were always confident in the guys who wore the shirt. We went quietly about our business beforehand when lots of people were writing us off and I think we can be very satisfied with what we've done."

Ford's three penalties and 11 point contribution proved decisive but he admitted his legs were wobbling as he stood over a late penalty that made the game safe.

"I just wanted to knock it over for the lads," he said.

"The performance – especially by the pack – was outstanding. We felt comfortable in the first half but had a bit of poor start."

England botched a number of great try-scoring chances late on – one when the superb James Haskell crashed into the padded post – that would have made the margin of victory humiliating for Wales on its own turf.

However, this was a time of celebration for the English.

"To get 13 unanswered points in the second half was great. For a young side to come here and get the win is really pleasing," said Lancaster.

"I remember being interviewed two years ago here, and it was the lowest point of my coaching career without a doubt," Lancaster said.

"This win is probably one of the highest points. The emotions coming into it, the challenge we had in terms of getting new combinations together."

The strains of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" – the song of English rugby – as England's players circled the pitch after the final whistle was rewarding enough, but even more satisfying for Lancaster was the emergence of genuine depth in his squad.

England were without its first-choice locks Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury, flank Tom Wood, No.8 Ben Morgan, star centre Manu Tuilagi and flyhalf Owen Farrell. British and Irish Lions players Brad Barritt and Geoff Parling were also unavailable. Prop Alex Corbisiero didn't even make the squad.

"I actually had a quiet moment, thinking about the lads who are potentially available next week who are going to come back in the equation," Lancaster said.

"And you've got quality sat back at home watching on TV, but also texting saying they are behind the lads.

"That shows great unity. That's one of our ultimate strengths."

James Haskell, in for Wood, was relentless in his ball-carrying, with Lancaster saying: "It was his best game for me."

Jonathan Joseph, filling in at centre, scored a try and was a danger throughout. Lock George Kruis was superb in his first Six Nations match.

It will hard for Lancaster to change a winning team for next Saturday's home game against Italy.

"Our belief internally has always been strong," Lancaster said.

"The players are buying into what we are doing as a group. This cements the belief that we are going in the right direction."

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