The passion is back

What a relief it is to finally enjoy the subsequent media coverage of an England game. I honestly am struggling to remind myself of a similar reaction (and performance) from the public and media as this. Even Martin is smiling.

England opened up at 100 miles an hour, and completely wrong footed the lacklustre French side by running in 4 first half tries. It was, in equal measure, cataclysmic French rugby vs robust confidence from the English. How invigorating is it to see the likes of Ugo Monye skinning his man on the outside, and the devilish running of both Flutey and (in particular) Delon Armitgae terrorising a quaking defensive line.

Up front, fortunes favoured the brave. Johnson sticks with Borthwick. Borthwick fronts up. Pack play well. A simple equation of faith + confidence = excitement.

Although we mustn't get ahead of ourselves, I do hope this is a sign of things to come.

A further visionary predictor is that of the French revolution. Monday morning sees James Haskell rethinking his move to Stade Francais in an unprecedented reversal. Francis Baron, RFU chief executive, sent a comprehensive letter to all the elite squad outlining the potential repercussions of a cross channel move. Coupled with the outstanding performance from young Tom Croft on Saturday, Mr Haskell has to decide on whether the money is worth it.

This could well put a spanner in the works of further French money moves, including perhaps the speculation around a certain Mr Wilkinson who linked with a move to Toulon. Or is he.

Watch this space.