Ashton sifts through the ashes
'You can't have a team of fifteen dancers, they must compete as well'
England will put a strong emphasis on composure and execution this week as they target an unlikely victory over Australia in the second Test.
The tourists slumped 34-3 in Sydney last Saturday against a Wallabies side that hardly fired on all cylinders, and England's new-look coaching team are now looking for more precision.
Although England coach Andy Robinson did his best to accentuate the positives, the result could not mask another failed southern hemisphere mission, with England's last four Tests in Australia and New Zealand having seem them concede an average 40 points per game.
But Robinson's first lieutenant, Brian Ashton, was more frugal with the sugar-coating – the new attack guru believes that his young side were guilty of running the ball at inopportune moments.
"We tested Australia in the first half but we didn't show any composure when we created three or four chances," he said.
"Even though Iain Balshaw went close we should be taking these opportunities.
"We can take a lot of lessons from the game including the fact that we need more balance and can't just run the ball from side to side.
"We can have a side, which potentially can run the ball from anywhere on the park.
"The coaches can't see there being a lot of pitch-training this week and we know that we must improve our performance against Australia on Saturday because they will be aiming to do the same thing as well.
"We must get the balance right. You can't have a team of fifteen dancers, they must compete as well.
"There was a combination of some good stuff and stuff that wasn't quite so good.
"It is really important now that we gather ourselves for what I suspect will be an improved Australian performance. We've got to handle that, and we need to be more accurate in terms of our execution.
"In the last 20 minutes, there were players – George Chuter, Joe Worsley, Chris Jones etc. – who got the Australian defence on the back foot.
"Then, it is a recognition of what we do next, the opportunity to continue that forward momentum rather than come to a standstill."
Robinson looks set to make changes at the Telstra Dome, especially up front. Centres Jamie Noon and Stuart Abbott could also come into the equation as England try to stave off a fifth successive defeat against all opponents. They have not won since mid-February.
Robinson is unlikely to tinker too much with the back division, although Noon and Abbott are seemingly competing to challenge Mike Catt, but full-back Iain Balshaw and wings Tom Varndell and Tom Voyce look set to be retained.
Varndell had his moments in attack – notably a stunning break past opposite number Lote Tuqiri – but he looked hesitant in defence, while Voyce's defensive game often deserted him to an alarming extent.
Robinson though, has already lost injured Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel from his tour plans, leaving options thin on the ground.
Sale flank Magnus Lund, meanwhile, left the first Test arena suffering from a tight hamstring, but England doctor Simon Kemp does not anticipate – Simpson-Daniel apart – any player being unavailable for selection when Robinson and company sit down to consider their options.
