Lessons still need to be learned, says positive Lancaster

Lancaster’s new-look England will sport the oft-worn tag of gallant losers this morning after running Warren Gatland’s favourites close, but not close enough.

Scott Williams’s opportunistic try four minutes from the end gave Wales the Triple Crown and kept alive their grand slam hopes.

England nearly snatched a draw but David Strettle was adjudged to have not grounded the ball.Ironically, England emerge with more credit in defeat than they did in two previous victories and it further points to gradual progression for Lancaster’s young, hungry squad.

But Lancaster does not want the positives to gloss over the pain of defeat.

He said: “We need to make sure we learn the lessons, but we cannot set our standards at not wanting to win every game.

“The players are bitterly disappointed because they knew it was an opportunity and we could have won. There is credit to be taken, but also lessons to be learned. We’ve got to take that hurt and put it into working hard over the next week or two.

“To go to France is going to be another step up for us. That’s the first thing the players spoke about in the changing room.

“They need to step up and learn the lessons and train hard for what’s going to be a tough game in France.”

After two strong defensive performances in Edinburgh and Rome, England at last showed some attacking verve that got Twickenham to its feet.

But the lack of tries remains a worry.

Lancaster said: “The conditions allowed for a better spectacle and we’re pleased with how we played but equally we’re hurting because it’s a game we could have won.

“As a coach what you look for is that the things you work on in training are coming to fruition. In the first two games, you could see the culture and the spirit we’re trying to build, that discipline and our defensive structure, but perhaps not in attack.

“And I think today we got good set-piece ball, we played with a good tempo and intensity and we played with width and a lot better shape.

“We were pleased that we could demonstrate the progress we’re making off the field.”

Lancaster named the most inexperienced England team in 23 years of the championship.

Owen Farrell, 20, playing his first game at fly-half was the epitome of that with a starring role.

And Lancaster hopes that the fans who left Twickenham on Saturday night, did so at least encouraged by the endeavour and commitment of his blossoming side.

“Players are working hard for their shirt, for their team-mates and their country, and the crowd saw that today,” he said.

“I’ve not been to that many Test matches at Twickenham and the crowd seemed to be in it all the way to the end.

“I think the crowd will go away and say there’s a new England side that gave their all in what was a fantastic Test match.”

Today is a good day for Yorkshireman Ian Ritchie to take office as the RFU’s new chief executive. The organisation’s “reputational damage rebuild plan” is working well.