Creative set of backs and bruising set of forwards key in England's win over Wales, says Dewi Morris

England have always had a good set of forwards, but last Friday showed they have the creativity to match any team in the back department, says Sky Sports pundit Dewi Morris...

What a performance from England. They were either going to get stuffed or stand up and do it and they did the latter. England would have had it from all angles from Welsh people of all ages but they stood up admirably to it all.

When you put up a challenge like the Welsh and their people did, it can bring out the best in a team, and for England they met that challenge and that will give them more than a springboard to success, it’s given them a trampoline there!

Lancaster has realised that the bash-it-up game doesn’t work as well as the expansive game and now his responsibility is to give his players the freedom to showcase the skills they have on offer.

I didn’t think George Ford even played to the best of his capabilities and he came away with man of the match, while Jonathan Joseph proved the value of creativity in the midfield.

James Haskell came back and had his best game in an England shirt and the English forwards proved themselves to be the chiselled force they can be. I personally feel that the English forwards are more granite-like than their PRO12 neighbours and it makes a big difference in International rugby.

I’ve said before that Wales struggle when things don’t go to plan because they don’t seem to have a Plan B. Every good side needs a Plan B – and you need an even better Plan A.

Warren Gatland can’t seem to stay away from the mind games and on this occasion he’s got egg on his face. I don’t understand why it’s a part of Wales’ build up to a Test. These days teams are so well prepared; they’re in the same hotel for days before the game, there is no work to go to – every part of their lives leading up to the game is dominated by the thoughts of the match.

There is little edge to be won psychologically by telling a team that they stand no chance because all rugby players like to prove somebody else wrong when they get written off.

Backs shine

Stuart Lancaster picked a side with his hand forced by injuries but it’s a side closer to what I want England to look like. Not necessarily in the forwards, because even when we lose players we still seem able to win front foot ball, but in the backs.

We saw how potent England can be with ball in hand when they pick the backline players who are capable of sparking something different. People often refer to it as an X factor, but I prefer fear factor, because you want players in your team that will scare defences with their skill and speed.

The win will give England a massive boost of confidence but the players won’t get carried away with their performances – that’s for their agents to do! Lancaster will ensure that they are grounded and prepared for the next challenge. The building blocks were crumbling a bit in autumn but they now appear to be repaired and holding firm.

England have always been able to run through opposition teams, but now they have the ability to run around them too. With a bruising pack of forwards complementing a bunch of backs with genuine guile and creativity, you have the perfect mix needed to succeed in a game of rugby.

Lancaster has realised that the bash-it-up game doesn’t work as well as the expansive game and now his responsibility is to give his players the freedom to showcase the skills they have on offer.

England seem to be heading in the right direction for the World Cup. Australia will be looking under every rock they can in order to find a front row of similar strength to England, because they know that even with the talent they have behind the scrum you can’t score points without the ball, and Wales will have been dealt a massive psychological blow with that loss.

If England get to the final of that World Cup I can see them beating any team that lines up opposite them.