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Stuart Lancaster reaches for positives after England blows Grand Slam dream in Six Nations

By: Steve Douglas, The Associated Press

Saturday, Mar. 16, 2013 at 5:45 PM | Comments: 0

England's Tom Wood puts his hands behind his head after his team were defeated by Wales, who went on to win the Six Nations Championship following their international rugby match in Cardiff's Millennium stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday, March 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

CARDIFF, Wales - As the fireworks exploded in the Cardiff sky and the gleaming Six Nations trophy was passed from one euphoric Wales player to the next, their dejected England counterparts stood arms-crossed and motionless on the pitch.

Having travelled to Cardiff in anticipation of the title and a first Grand Slam in 10 years, the English will return licking their wounds after a record loss to their fiercest rivals.

The positives were few and far between after such a chastening match at Millennium Stadium, but coach Stuart Lancaster reached for them nonetheless.

"It's about putting it all into perspective," he said. "I think we will learn a lot from it."

Lancaster, typically, was taking a long-term view of his biggest defeat as England coach.

Right from the moment he took full-time charge, it's been about building to the 2015 World Cup. By the time that tournament — held on home soil — kicks off, Lancaster said he wants a starting team of 600-plus caps, with big-match experience in the bank.

To him, a game like Saturday's 30-3 loss to Wales is simply short-term pain for long-term gain.

"It's where you want to be, with atmospheres and pressure-cooker games like this," England defence coach Andy Farrell said. "It would have been a hell of a place to win a Grand Slam."

The negatives of England's campaign seemed more pronounced in the minutes after the final whistle.

One try in the final four matches. The alarming dip in form of once-prolific winger Chris Ashton. England's woes in the scrum, shown up by the powerful Welsh front row. A record trouncing by Wales, topping a 25-0 loss in 1905.

Yet, there are many things to be happy about looking ahead to 2015.

For such a young, inexperienced side — there were just 290 caps in Saturday's starting XV — to follow up a record win over New Zealand in December with four straight wins in the Six Nations shouldn't be underestimated.

In composed flyhalf Owen Farrell, England appears to have a natural heir to Jonny Wilkinson, and Chris Robshaw is the no-nonsense, inspirational leader the team has been craving since the retirement of World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson. Manu Tuilagi has brought the "wow factor" back to the midfield, too.

Most important of all, though, is the cultural shift that has swept through a much-changed England squad. Lancaster has instilled discipline into his players, bringing in motivational speakers such as Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins and members of the armed forces.

The players are now playing for the jersey and a nation disgruntled after an embarrassing World Cup campaign in New Zealand, on and off the pitch, can see progress.

"While it's hugely disappointing to lose the game, I have to look back over the last four games, the New Zealand game, the autumn internationals and what we have been through as a team," Lancaster said.

"Over the last 16 games, we have not taken a result like this and we will learn from it."

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